**Medicines Readily Available Without Prescription in Bhopal Pharmacies, But Rules Remain**
*Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh):*
In many medical stores across Bhopal, almost all medicines are available for purchase without a doctor’s prescription. Except for some psychiatric medicines and high-end antibiotics classified as Schedule H1 drugs, pharmacies are reportedly selling other medicines without insisting on prescriptions from Registered Medical Practitioners.
Chemists, however, maintain that they strictly adhere to regulations and do not sell prescription-only drugs without a doctor’s authorization. Pharmacies are permitted to sell certain products Over the Counter (OTC), which include Ayurvedic and herbal preparations, dietary supplements, and cosmetics.
According to the rules, the owner of a medicine shop should be a pharmacy graduate, and at least one qualified pharmacist must be present in the shop at all times. However, not all employees working at the pharmacy need to be pharmacists.
Ansh Chawla, owner of Moolchand Pharmacy, explained, “I don’t require a prescription to sell electoral powder, Borolin, Strepsils, or multivitamins.” He added that entire product ranges from brands like Himalaya, Baidyanath, and Dabur fall under the OTC category.
Chawla emphasized that drugs listed under Schedules H1 and H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 cannot be sold OTC, whether generic or branded. “They can be sold only when prescribed by a qualified and registered doctor,” he said. He further detailed the procedure followed if a prescribed medicine is not available: “We call the doctor to ask whether we can substitute it with another drug. If the doctor consents, we write the name of the substitute and then provide the medicine to the buyer.”
Ashish Yadav from Yadav Medicos shared that about 90% of their sales are based on prescriptions. Items such as Vicks, Bournvita, and Jhandu Balm are sold without prescriptions, he said, adding that they do not sell pediatric medicines without a valid prescription.
However, contrary to the claims made by chemists, a recent check by a reporter found that a strip of Meftal tablets and cough syrup were easily purchased from two different medical stores without a prescription.
Dr. Meet Dwivedi commented, “Chemists can sell nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and products like Dettol over the counter. However, medicinal drugs require a doctor’s prescription. Cough syrups are not OTC products. They can cause nausea and lethargy and should not be sold or consumed without a doctor’s advice.”
Jitendra Dhakad, President of the Chemists Association, Bhopal, added, “Medicines should be sold only on a doctor’s prescription. A pharmacist should be present at the shop at all times to supervise the sale of medicines and ensure that they are stored at the correct temperature and in proper conditions. However, there is no rule mandating that every staff member must be a pharmacist.”
*— Story by Staff Reporter*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-news-no-prescription-no-problem-city-chemists-selling-almost-all-medicines-over-the-counter