
Paracetamol, Ibuprofen May Soon Be Available At General Stores As India Reviews First List Of OTC Drugs
A committee has proposed that India needs to develop legal provisions, eligibility for considering drug as OTC and special labelling similar to those for prescription medicines
A total of 27 prescription-only medicines, including levocetrizine, ibuprofen and paracetamol will soon be sold at medical and general stores as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, News18 has learnt.
The list of 27 drugs includes the names of generic formulations and the strength of doses allowed to be sold without a prescription.
Currently, India lacks a comprehensive set of regulations governing the distribution, marketing, and consumption of OTC drugs. In May, drug regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) constituted a sub-committee to examine matters regarding the amendment of the Drugs Rules to incorporate necessary provisions for drugs to be declared as over-the-counter (OTC), in line with a recommendation of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) meeting. Now, the panel has submitted the report, and DTAB will deliberate to move on moving forward.
'The subcommittee has finely balanced and submitted the report containing almost 27 generic names of formulations for the top therapeutic segment. These formulations are top-selling and best in the safety profile of that category. For instance, Levocetirizine is best to treat allergies, ibuprofen is best for painkillers and paracetamol for anti-pyretic use," a senior official at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, privy to the development, told News18.
The sub-panel has also mentioned the strength of the medicines which should be available in the OTC category. 'It would be damaging if people end up popping painkiller ibuprofen in higher doses. Hence, the idea is to keep the moderate or mild dose available without prescription."
'Legal provisions to be enabled under Drugs Rules, 1945 along with the manner of submitting application, requirements for considering a drug as an OTC, Labelling requirements, etc and incorporation of a separate Schedule as enumerated under section 7 of the report," said the government document containing agenda for discussion on upcoming DTAB meeting.
The DTAB meeting is expected to convene in April. However, the final decision may take several meetings as the central government needs to design a full plan before it decides to shift prescription medicines into the OTC category.
The sub-committee was headed by Dr Anupam Prakash, Director and Professor of Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi. The panel has other members including as Dr Umesh D Suranagi from Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Paediatrician Dr Ratan Kumar Gupta from Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital and Dr Bikash Medhi, Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Doctors in England start 5-day strike over pay
Agency: PTI London, Jul 25 (AP) Thousands of doctors in England's state-funded health system walked off the job Friday in a five-day strike over pay that the government says will disrupt care for patients across the country. Resident doctors, those early in their careers who form the backbone of hospital and clinic care, took to picket lines outside hospitals after talks with the government broke down. The National Health Service said emergency departments would be open and hospitals and clinics would try to carry out as many scheduled appointments as possible. The doctors are seeking a pay raise to make up for what their union, the British Medical Association, says is a 20 per cent real-terms pay cut since 2008. Dr. Melissa Ryan and Dr. Ross Nieuwoudt, chairs of the union's resident doctors committee, said 'pay erosion has now got to the point where a doctor's assistant can be paid up to 30 per cent more than a resident doctor." The government says doctors have received an average 28.9 per cent increase and it will not offer more, but is willing to discuss improved working conditions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the doctors to go back to work. 'Most people do not support these strikes. They know they will cause real damage," he wrote in the Times newspaper. 'Behind the headlines are the patients whose lives will be blighted by this decision. The frustration and disappointment of necessary treatment delayed. And worse, late diagnoses and care that risks their long-term health," Starmer wrote. Health sector staff staged a series of rolling strikes over more than a year in 2023-24, seeking pay rises to offset the rising cost of living. The strikes forced tens of thousands of appointments and procedures to be postponed. The strikes hit efforts by the National Health Service to dig out of an appointment backlog that ballooned after the COVID-19 pandemic and led to longer waiting times to see a doctor. The strikes stopped after the Labour government elected in July 2024 gave doctors a raise, but the union held a new strike vote last month. (AP) GRS GRS view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 14:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Are You Bringing Fake Potatoes Home? 5 Easy Ways To Identify Safe Spuds
Fake potatoes made with harmful chemicals are being sold in markets. They look real but can harm your liver, kidneys, and digestion. Here's how to spot them easily These days, fake and chemically-treated vegetables have become increasingly common in markets. Often, these vegetables look so real that it's hard to distinguish them. However, they can lead to various health issues, and in some cases, even serious diseases. One such alarming example is fake potatoes. Though they closely resemble real ones, these potatoes are made using harmful chemicals and artificial colours, posing serious risks to the liver, kidneys, and digestive system. Fake Potatoes Seized In Ballia Back in October 2024, the administration in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, took major action and seized 21 quintals (worth Rs 56,000) of artificially coloured fake potatoes. Traders were found using chemicals to increase profits by Rs 400 per quintal, putting public health at serious risk. This incident made it even more important to learn how to spot the difference between real and fake potatoes. Here are five simple and effective ways to identify fake potatoes. Smell Test Real potatoes have a natural earthy smell. In contrast, fake potatoes give off a chemical odour. If the smell feels artificial or unpleasant, it's better to avoid buying them. Cut and Check the Inside When you cut a real potato, the colour inside is usually the same as its outer skin. But in fake potatoes, the inside may be discoloured or different, showing signs of artificial treatment. The Water Test Drop the potato in a bowl of water. A real potato is heavy and will sink, while a fake one, coated with light chemicals, may float. This is a quick way to check before buying. Peel and Texture Check Real potatoes have a thin, naturally rough peel, and the dirt sticks to them. Fake potatoes may look unusually clean or shiny, and their skin can feel different or come off too easily. Dangerous Chemicals Used in Fake Potatoes According to experts, fake potatoes are often coated with ochre soil and toxic chemicals to make them appear fresh and appealing. Regular consumption of such potatoes can be dangerous, leading to loss of appetite, constipation, stomach bloating, and in extreme cases, even kidney failure. When shopping for potatoes, take a moment to check them properly. Being cautious can protect you and your family from severe health issues caused by these artificial imitations. Always buy from trusted vendors and avoid potatoes that appear too clean, too colourful, or give off a chemical smell. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


News18
17 hours ago
- News18
Ayush ministry reaffirms commitment to promote evidence-based practices
New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI)The National Expert Committee constituted by the Ayush ministry undertook a rigorous review of scientific, pharmacological and traditional data to refine safety documentation for four selected herbs. This initiative is aligned with the ministry's larger mandate to ensure that Ayush interventions meet global safety and quality standards, thereby enhancing public confidence and international recognition of Indian traditional medicines, the ministry said in a statement. The exercise involved a critical synthesis of Ayurvedic classical references, preclinical data, toxicology findings and available clinical literature, it said in the statement. As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the scientific evidence base of traditional medicine, the Ayush ministry has made significant progress in the development of safety dossiers for four important Ayush herbs — Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Chandrashura (Lepidium sativum). The National Expert Committee meeting was held from July 21 to 22 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa. The committee, constituted by the Ministry of Ayush, co-chaired by Dr A Raghu, Deputy Director General (Ayush), and Dr J B Gupta, comprises senior experts and scientists from leading institutions including AIIA (Goa and New Delhi), AIIMS New Delhi, CCRAS, DIPSAR, ITRA, IIT Jodhpur, CIMAP and Savitribai Phule Pune University. 'The National Expert Committee undertook a rigorous review of scientific, pharmacological, and traditional data to refine safety documentation for the selected herbs," the statement said. The ministry commended the expert committee and collaborating institutions for their contributions and reaffirms its commitment to promoting evidence-based, safe and effective Ayush practices. PTI PLB KSS KSS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 22:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.