Non-prescription, over-the-counter drugs like cough lozenges, pain relievers, anti-fungal creams to soon be sold at general stores: Report

Many developed nations permit several medications to be sold without prescriptions in non-pharmacy retail settings.

In a significant move, the government could soon allow neighbourhood grocery stores to stock and sell common medications like cough lozenges, pain relievers, and anti-fungal creams following a recent regulatory decision that has sparked both optimism and concern among healthcare stakeholders. As per a report in Mint, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) ruled last month that several non-prescription medications could be sold at retail stores beyond traditional pharmacies.

As per the report, the move would allow general stores to sell medicines like analgesics (over-the-counter painkillers), anti-allergics, antihistamines, cough syrups, laxatives, antifungal ointments, and certain asthma medications.

Further, unlike the drug stores, retail outlets will not be required to hire pharmacists. However, they will still need to obtain specific licenses to sell these over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

As per a source quoted, the government is "finalizing the list of OTC drugs and products which can be sold at retail shops. The government has been working on this for a long time, and a final decision is to be taken shortly."

The move promises convenience for consumers across the country, but it has created anxiety among thousands of chemists and medical and drug stores who anticipate potential revenue losses.

Formalizing OTC regulations

As per reports, a list of over-the-counter medications will be released and a separate regulatory schedule will be created for them.

Officials have stated that, as of now, OTC drugs are not defined or covered under the Drugs Rule, 1945, and with these regulations in place, the public will be aware of what OTC drugs are, and the kinds of drugs that can be purchased without a prescription.

As per sources, the regulation aims at providing greater availability and accessibility of over-the-counter drugs to those living in rural setting and remote regions.

Pharmacy organisations oppose move

Professional pharmacy organisations have opposed the initiative since the start. As per the report, the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which represents 12.4 lakh members, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, with 13,000 members, have raised significant concerns regarding the move.

Rajiv Singhal, general secretary of AIOCD, said, "Where will we go? This will put the growth of pharmacists at risk. We are going to submit our representation to the government to seek a transparent and balanced approach in finalizing the sale of OTC drugs at retail level and involve stakeholders like the Indian Medical Association, doctors and Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) before finalizing the change."

Singhal warned that OTC medications in retail settings could lead to misuse and requested the government to share the proposed list with chemists in order to receive feedback on potential consequences.

Path forward

According to one of the officials quoted in the report, "The sub-committee has prepared a list of OTC drug items. The government will now re-issue a draft notification on OTC drugs regulation, take stakeholders' comments before giving the final nod."

This comes after a 2022 draft notification which planned to allow the sale of 16 OTC drugs without prescriptions by licensed retailers — a proposal that pharmacy organisations have consistently opposed. In 2024, the DTAB formed a sub-committee to develop a comprehensive mechanism for classifying drugs as OTC.

Notably, many developed nations already permit numerous medications to be sold without prescriptions in non-pharmacy retail settings.