Aiming to prevent illegal sale of medicine, the Delhi government on Tuesday issued an order mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in all pharmacies and medical shops in the national capital.
District Magistrate (South Delhi) issued an order to discourage dual-use medicines without valid prescriptions. The order would be applicable particularly to shops selling Schedule H, H1, and X drugs, which are often subject to misuse if sold without medical supervision.
According to the order, the CCTV footage from these pharmacies can be randomly inspected by officials from the District Drug Control Authority, Sub-Divisional Magistrates or Police Officers at any given time.
In case of non-compliance, appropriate legal action shall be initiated against the defaulter in accordance with the law. All Sub-Divisional Magistrates are instructed to ensure strict execution of the order in their respective jurisdictions along with the assistance of the Police and Drug Inspectors.
Earlier, on July 27, the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), which represents over 12.40 lakh chemists across India, expressed grave concerns over the unregulated and illegal functioning of online pharmacy platforms. The organisation alleged that several platforms continue to sell medicines in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, thereby posing a significant threat to public health.
Accoridng to a statement from AIOCD, JS Shinde, President, Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary, informed that in a formal communication addressed to the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, AIOCD has highlighted the continued inaction by State Licensing Authorities (SLAs), despite repeated complaints being forwarded to them by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
While the Minister’s reply in the Rajya Sabha on 22nd July 2025 stated that complaints regarding unauthorised sale of medicines are referred to SLAS, AIOCD has informed that no visible or effective action has been taken by any SLA across the country.
