CCTV at Pharmacies? Health Ministry Proposes Surveillance of Prescription Drug Sales, 3-Month Recording Mandate
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has proposed that the supply of any drug on the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner, other than through wholesale dealing, take place under a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system installed and maintained at the licensed premises.
Under the draft amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, recordings would have to be preserved for at least three months.
The proposal was published in a notification dated September 8, 2026, as G.S.R. 791(E). It would insert a new sub-rule (2A) after sub-rule (2) of Rule 65 of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
The Central Government published the draft after consulting the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, exercising its powers under Sections 12(1) and 33(1) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The draft rules will be considered on or after 30 days from the date copies of the Gazette containing them are made available to the public. The government will consider objections and suggestions received within that period.
Comments may be sent to the Under Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, U-6, Work Hall-C Wing, First Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-1, New Delhi – 110001, or emailed to drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in.
The draft rules stated,
“1. (i)These rules may be called the Drugs (...... Amendment) Rules, 2026.(ii)These rules shall come into force from the date as specified by the Government at the time of final publication of the rules in the Official Gazette.2. In the Drugs Rules, 1945, in rule 65, after sub-rule (2), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:- (2A) The supply, otherwise than by way of wholesale dealing of any drug supplied on the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner shall be made under a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system installed and maintained for this purpose at the licensed premises. Further, the recordings shall be preserved for a minimum period of 3 months.”
The draft calls the proposed amendment the Drugs (…… Amendment) Rules, 2026. If finalised, the rules will come into force on a date specified by the government when it publishes the final rules in the Official Gazette.
To view the official notice, click the link below:
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