NEW DELHI: Medical stores across the country may soon come under CCTV surveillance. The Central Government has proposed a new measure to strengthen monitoring of the sale of prescription drugs and to curb their sale without a valid prescription.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed an amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945. Under this, CCTV surveillance is set to be made mandatory at medical stores for the sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
Objective: To Curb Sale of Drugs Without Prescription
The government has said that the objective of the proposal is to address concerns related to the unauthorised sale of and access to Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.
Schedule H, H1 and X drugs include prescription medicines used in the treatment of infections, serious diseases, mental health-related problems and other serious medical conditions. The sale of these drugs is already regulated under existing rules.
DTAB Recommends Approval of Proposal
According to the government, the proposal was first discussed by the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC). It was subsequently placed before the members of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). After deliberation, the DTAB has recommended approval of the proposal.
The government said that the proposed amendment will strengthen the monitoring of the sale and distribution of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs. It will also help curb the sale of these drugs without a valid prescription.
Medical Store Operators Voice Concerns
However, medical store operators have expressed concerns over the cost of the proposal and the practical challenges of implementing it. The All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) has urged the government to reconsider the proposal.
The organisation said that installing a CCTV system could become a financial burden for small and medium medical stores. According to the AIOCD, six to eight CCTV cameras, a DVR/NVR, storage, wiring, internet connectivity and maintenance could cost approximately ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh or more.
Apprehensions of Difficulties in Rural Areas
The AIOCD said that implementing the system could prove even more difficult in rural and remote areas. There, owing to power supply problems, weak internet connectivity and a shortage of trained technicians, maintaining continuous CCTV recording could be challenging.
The organisation has demanded that if CCTV surveillance is considered necessary, the required infrastructure should be provided for it. It has also appealed for a practical and balanced system to be adopted. The government has sought objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the general public before proceeding further with the proposal.
