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The sub committee which was formed to look into it is likely to submit the report soon, said Dr Anupam Prakash, chairman of the OTC sub-committee told ET. The list of OTC drugs would be available in general stores too.
“The committee is working actively and we will soon finalise it,”said Dr Anupam Prakash, without divulging the names of the drugs. He said that the aim of the committee is to ensure that the health of people is not compromised and hence only a few drugs which are commonly used may fall under the category of OTC.
“We are bothered about the public at large and not the products,” he said.
He said that the report is near completion and will soon be submitted to the Drugs Technical Authority Board (DTAB), India’s highest body on drugs.
India’s drug regulator had earlier received representation from various companies which urged that certain formulations be allowed to be sold as OTC. The committee has had meetings with various lobby groups, NGOs, and pharmaceutical companies to iron out issues related to OTC products, the chairman said.Unlike other countries like the US, UK or China, India does not have a policy framework to support and regulate distribution, marketing and consumption of OTC drugs. This is despite the fact that commonly used medicines for cough and cold as well as contraceptives are sold over the counter. Neither the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 nor the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (D&C) defines OTC medicines.
