No More Online Ads for Prescription Drugs? Govt Proposes Ban on Schedule G, H, H1 and X Medicines
New Delhi: Signaling a major tightening of drug-promotion norms, the government has initiated steps to clamp down on the online advertising of high-risk prescription medicines. The proposal aims to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, making it mandatory for every drug licence to explicitly prohibit advertisements for Schedule G, H, H1 and X medicines.
The move follows concerns that current licences do not clearly bar such advertising, allowing digital platforms and distributors to indirectly promote potent antibiotics, psychotropic medicines, hormonal therapies and other restricted drugs. As reported by Livemint, the revised rules are intended to shut this loophole and curb practices that fuel unsafe self-medication and misuse.
A senior government official elaborated that the plan would ban all online advertising of prescription-only medicines, and hold sellers, wholesalers and distributors accountable for any violations. The draft amendment will soon be placed before the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) for review.
The government has also acknowledged limitations in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which officials described as outdated and insufficient to regulate misleading drug ads, particularly on digital platforms. Strengthening the drug-advertising framework is therefore seen as essential to safeguarding public health.
Online healthcare platforms have also responded. A senior executive at Tata 1mg stated that the platform does not advertise prescription medicines and restricts promotions to over-the-counter products only. Healthcare experts including Dr Ranjan Shetty, Medical Director at SPARSH Hospitals, stated that the move is “timely and essential,” warning that promotion of high-risk medicines encourages reckless self-medication, delays diagnosis and contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
Legal experts cited by Livemint added that existing gaps in the law are often misused by unscrupulous players to push prescription drugs through disguised or indirect advertising, making stricter rules necessary.
