Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 9: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed tighter restrictions on the advertising of prescription medicines, seeking to bring retailers, wholesalers and distributors under rules governing Schedule H, H1 and X drugs amid growing concerns over unauthorised sales and indirect promotion of weight-loss medicines.
The proposed amendment follows recommendations made at the 93rd meeting of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) on February 16, 2026. The Ministry has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the public within 30 days of the draft notification being published in the Gazette.
The proposal comes amid increased regulatory scrutiny of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a class of medicines used to manage type 2 diabetes, with certain approved products also indicated for weight management. Rising demand for these drugs has raised concerns over unauthorised sales, prescription practices, online availability and promotional campaigns that could encourage their use without appropriate medical supervision.
In March 2026, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) intensified surveillance of the GLP-1 drug supply chain. According to the Union Health Ministry, inspections were conducted at 49 entities, including online pharmacy warehouses, wholesalers, retailers, wellness centres and slimming clinics, to identify potential violations involving unauthorised sales, improper prescription practices and misleading marketing.
The regulator also issued an advisory on March 10, prohibiting surrogate advertisements and indirect promotional activities that could mislead consumers or encourage inappropriate use of GLP-1 medicines.
Surrogate advertising has emerged as a key concern in the promotion of prescription weight-loss drugs. Such campaigns may be presented as obesity-awareness initiatives, influencer collaborations or general discussions on weight management while indirectly generating demand for specific prescription products.
The CDSCO advisory clarified that promotional activities extending beyond conventional advertisements, including disease-awareness campaigns and influencer engagements, could attract regulatory action if they indirectly promote prescription-only medicines to the public.
Under the existing framework, pharmaceutical manufacturers face restrictions on advertising Schedule H, H1 and X medicines without prior sanction from the Central Government. However, the corresponding provision does not explicitly extend the same requirement to all entities involved in the retail and wholesale sale and distribution of these drugs.
The proposed amendment seeks to address this gap by extending the restriction to licence holders authorised to sell, stock, exhibit or offer drugs for sale, or distribute them. If finalised, the provision would require prior Central Government sanction for advertisements of drugs specified under Schedule H, H1 and X across a wider section of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The move could require retail pharmacies, wholesalers and distributors to review their advertising practices and ensure compliance with applicable drug laws. It also signals closer scrutiny of social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, online promotions and other marketing activities that could bypass restrictions on prescription medicines.
The proposal follows another recent government initiative to strengthen oversight of prescription drug sales. The Centre had proposed CCTV surveillance at licensed retail premises selling prescription medicines, with recordings to be preserved for three months.
The draft amendment has not yet become a final rule. The Ministry will consider objections and suggestions received within the prescribed 30-day period before taking further steps towards finalising the proposal.