CCTV in medical stores may become mandatory; DCC proposes rule change

Mumbai: In a significant move to tighten regulation of pharmaceutical retail, the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) has agreed to make the installation of CCTV cameras at medical stores mandatory. The move will require an amendment to existing Rules.

Importantly, the DCC also specified that cameras must be placed appropriately within the premises to ensure that every sale transaction is clearly verifiable closing potential loopholes that could arise from poorly positioned equipment. The decision, if implemented, would mark a significant expansion of regulatory oversight at the point of sale.

“DCC agreed that installation of CCTV camera at medical stores may be made mandatory by amending the Rules. DCC also proposed that camera shall be placed appropriately in the premises so that sale made at such premises may be verifiable,” said the minutes of the meeting. ET has seen a copy of the minutes.

The decision was taken after the DCC examined recommendations made by a sub-committee constituted to review a Joint Action Plan proposed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which had flagged concerns around the unregulated sale of certain drugs at retail pharmacies and called for stronger surveillance and information systems to address the issue.

The DCC in it’s recent meeting agreed that a separate, robust Mobile app-based Information System (MIS) or a centralised drug portal should be developed to consolidate drug-related data in one place.

The portal is envisioned to provide all relevant information in a comprehensive manner with a particular emphasis on real-time tracking of drugs that are prone to misuse or abuse.

“The move signals a shift away from fragmented, state-level record-keeping towards a unified national system that regulators, enforcement agencies, and policymakers can access to monitor drug availability and sales patterns more effectively,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.