Food and Drugs Administration, (FDA) Haryana, India. |
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Last Updated on May 14, 2026 by The Health Master
68th DCC Meeting
The 68th Drugs Consultative Committee meeting (DCC meeting), chaired by Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (India), has introduced a series of transformative recommendations aimed at tightening regulatory oversight and ensuring public safety.
Held on March 20, 2026, the meeting addressed critical issues ranging from the digital tracking of high-risk medicines to new infrastructure mandates for retail pharmacies.
Download minutes of meeting of 68th DCC held on 20-03-2026
Strengthening Regulatory Oversight through Digital Integration
A central theme of the deliberations was the modernization of India’s drug regulatory framework. The DCGI emphasized the urgent need for all States and Union Territories to onboard the ONDLS portal to harmonize inspection processes and licensing systems across the country.
Key Digital Initiatives Recommended:
Centralised Drug Portal: The DCC agreed on developing a robust Mobile app-based Information System (MIS) or a centralized portal capable of providing real-time data on pharmaceutical products.
- Real-Time NDPS Tracking: A proposal was approved to create an end-to-end digital mechanism for tracking the manufacture, import, and sale of products regulated under the NDPS Act.
- Public Performance Dashboards: To enhance transparency, a public dashboard will be created under the DDRS portal to report average timelines for drug approvals.
Mandatory CCTV and Pharmacy Deregulation
In a significant move to curb the misuse of medicines, the DCC recommended making the installation of CCTV cameras mandatory at all medical stores. These cameras must be positioned to verify sales made at the premises. Simultaneously, the committee explored Retail Pharmacy deregulation to align with global standards. Proposed changes include:
- Replacing rigid numeric premises requirements with performance-based standards.
- Simplifying the process for notifying the Licensing Authority of qualified persons in-charge.
- Removing the mandate for registered lease deeds for establishing a pharmacy.
Updates to Drug Schedules and Misuse Prevention
The committee reviewed recommendations for listing specific drugs under stricter schedules to prevent intoxication and misuse.
| Drug Name | Recommended Action |
| Dicyclomine | Retained in Schedule H |
| Flupentixol | Included in Schedule H1 |
| Zopiclone | Included in Schedule H1 |
| Gabapentin | Included in Schedule H1 |
| Carisoprodol | Included in Schedule H1 |
Furthermore, the DCC addressed surrogate advertising of “prescription-only” medicines, such as obesity drugs (GLP-1 receptor agonists), urging State Controllers to take strict enforcement actions against misleading promotional practices.
Read and Download minutes of all meetings of DCC
Capacity Augmentation and Industry Standards
To support regulators, the DCC is evaluating the engagement of Notified Bodies to conduct periodic audits of manufacturing sites, laboratories, and blood banks. A sub-committee has been formed to assess the feasibility of this capacity-building exercise. Additionally, the meeting touched upon:
- Waste Management: Developing guidance for managing wastewater from antimicrobial production as part of the NAP-AMR 2.0 initiative.
- Testing Protocols: Amending rules to allow private testing laboratories (PTLs) to test vaccines and biological products under specific conditions.
- Accessibility: Reviewing solutions for visually impaired individuals to easily identify medicine strips.
These recommendations mark a decisive step toward a more transparent, digitally-driven, and safety-conscious pharmaceutical landscape in India.
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.
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