Last Updated on August 8, 2025 by The Health Master
Medical Stores
The Delhi government has issued a strict directive to all medical stores and pharmacies across the capital to install high-definition CCTV cameras on their premises by the end of July 2025.
The main aim of this direction is to curb the sale of low-quality medications and “dual-use” drugs—those with both medical use and potential for abuse—without a valid prescription by Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP).
Concern about the misuse of drugs:
The misuse of certain high-risk drugs, particularly among minors, has been a main concern for the authorities.
This action specifically targets the following substances, which are frequently misused apart from the legitimate medical purposes:
- Codeine-based cough syrups,
- Alprazolam tablets,
- Tramadol capsules and
- Other habit-forming drugs, etc.
The installation of CCTV cameras is expected to keep an eye out against such unauthorized selling of drugs, providing a transparent record of sales and customer interactions.
Directives from the Department:
Danish Ashraf, Special Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), has communicated this directive to key stakeholders, including the medical stores, pharmacies, wholesalers, and prominent chemist associations throughout Delhi.
In a strongly worded letter, he emphasized the critical need for all members to strictly adhere to regulations prohibiting the sale of Schedule H, H1, and X drugs without a valid prescription from an RMP.
Furthermore, Mr. Ashraf highlighted the contents from the 11th NCORD (National Coordination Centre for Drug Abuse Prevention) meeting held on July 18th, 2025, where the urgency of CCTV camera installation was a main point of the discussion.
Schedule H and H1 Drugs:
These categories of drugs cannot be sold over the counter without having a valid prescription from an RMP.
Schedule H1 drugs, which particularly include antibiotics and anti-tuberculosis drugs, require record-keeping in a separate register, providing a clear audit trail for inspecting authorities.
Schedule X Drugs:
These are the most strictly regulated drugs, such as barbiturates, amphetamines, and pentobarbital.
Their sale mandates the requirement of specialized licenses, secure storage under lock and key, and rigorous documentation, including the mandatory retention of prescriptions.
Regular Inspections by authorities
The Drug Control Department in Delhi is regularly conducting inspections across the national capital to ensure strict compliance with these regulations.
These inspections are not only punitive but are also designed to develop a culture of accountability and responsibility by the medical stores.
Apart from this, special drives are conducted to collect samples from retailers, wholesalers, and healthcare institutions for testing and analysis.
KR Chawla, Head of Office, Drug Control Department, highlighted a recent special drive conducted in June 2025.
“In one such special drive conducted in June 2025, the department collected 127 samples of anti-cancer drugs from various medical stores across the capital.
Out of these 127 samples, 48 samples were declared as of standard quality.
The results of the remaining 79 samples are awaited.
All tested samples so far have been declared of standard quality,” he stated, emphasizing the department’s commitment to safeguarding patient health, especially for those battling critical illnesses like cancer.
Q: Why is it mandatory to install CCTV cameras in medical stores?
A: The main aim of this direction is to curb the sale of low-quality medications and “dual-use” drugs—those with both medical use and potential for abuse—without a valid prescription by Registered Medical Practitioners (RMP).
Q: Which drugs are targeted according to this order?
A: The main targeted drugs are codeine-based cough syrups, alprazolam tablets, and tramadol capsules, which have a high potential for misuse, including the drugs falling under Schedule H, H1, and X drugs.
Disclaimer: This article contains information obtained from the source mentioned below. Our team made changes in the format to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
Disclaimer: The information we have provided is for general knowledge and for informational purpose only and it cannot be treated as medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any health issues and / or for the treatment of the same. The Health Master does not claim responsibility for this information.
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