The government plans to soon make commonly used drugs available at local retail outlets, with their labelling containing important information — preferred dosage and side effects — in local languages.
A new schedule is likely to be created under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act for OTC (over-the-counter) formulations so that these commonly-used medicines, which are not ‘prescription only’ and are relatively safe to use, can be governed.
Making essential drugs easily available is important in a country like India, which has less than one doctor per 1,000 people. Also, nearly 74 per cent of the doctors in the country cater to a third of the urban population.
The government also plans to bring all medical devices under the purvew of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), in order to improve their quality and make them safer as well.
Health ministry has issued a draft notification to define all medical devices, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Listen to the podcast to know more
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