Paracetamol & 15 other drugs may be allowed to be sold 'over the counter' without prescription

NEW DELHI: With an aim to increase accessibility of commonly used medicines like

paracetamol

, diclofenac, nasal decongestants and anti-allergics, the government is set to allow sale of 16 such medicines as over-the-counter (OTC) products that can be sold without prescription from a doctor.

The health ministry has issued a gazette notification proposing changes to

Drugs Rules

, 1945, to bring these products under

Schedule K

of the law, allowing the "drugs to be sold OTC by retail under valid licence".

The 16 medicines include antiseptic and disinfectant agent,

Chlorohexidine

mouth wash used for treatment of gingivitis,

Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide Lozenges

for cough, anti-bacterial acne formulation, anti-fungal creams, nasal decongestants, an analgesic cream formulation and anti-allergy capsules, among others.

While the proposed changes will give legal sanctity to sale of medicines that aren't toxic without prescription, it will also ease their accessibility.

However, OTC sales will be allowed with certain conditions. For instance, the maximum duration of treatment or use shouldn't exceed five days and that if the symptoms don't resolve, the patient should consult doctors.

The ministry has sought comments from stakeholders within a month.


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