Alcohol content in drugs to be regulated

The union health ministry is considering a proposal to regulate alcohol content in drug preparations such as aromatic tincture in order to curb their illegal sale at pharmacies.

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They are most often used as ‘country liquor’ by economically weaker sections.

As part of the proposal, the government plans to amend the Drug Rules, 1945 to bring alcohol-based drug formulations under Schedule H1 from existing Schedule K drugs.

Schedule H1 are drugs which cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. The bottle size of such products is being reduced from 100ml to 30ml.

The suggestion was made by experts during a recent meeting of the drugs consultative committee chaired by Rajeev Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

India is one of the leading consumers and exporters of aromatic chemicals in the Asia Pacific region.