“We have held many meetings and looking at what best can be done,” said Dr Anupam Prakash, chairman of the OTC sub-committee.
Unlike other countries like the US, UK or China, India does not have a policy framework to support and regulate distribution, marketing and consumption of OTC drugs. This is despite the fact that commonly used medicines for cough and cold as well as contraceptives are sold over the counter. Neither the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 nor the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (D&C) defines OTC medicines.
“I believe that the committee has been made in good interest, it will do a good job and will be beneficial for public at large,” he said.
The sub-committee is considering international guidelines and may recommend amendments in the Schedule K of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to incorporate necessary provisions for drugs to be sold over-the-counter.
“We are seeing how to regulate them so as to ensure that antibiotics are not misused at the same time see how some medicines can be made available at all times easily,” added another official. At present, many patients may end up taking inappropriate medicines for a long period of time as the chemist who is prescribing the medicine isn’t qualified to do so and has little understanding of the patient’s medical condition. The sub-committee will soon give its report to Drugs Technical Advisory Board, country’s highest drug advisory body. The sub-committee includes various doctors from the country’s top government hospitals, representatives from country’s top health research body-Indian Council of Medical Research, drug controllers from various states.
