Stories
Government Proposes Prior Approval for Advertisements of Schedule H, H1 and X Drugs
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News18•08-10-2026, 21:15
Government Proposes Prior Approval for Advertisements of Schedule H, H1 and X Drugs
- •The Union health ministry has issued a draft notification proposing that prescription drugs and substances with high potential for abuse cannot be advertised without prior approval from the Centre.
- •The new rule applies to drugs specified under Schedule H, Schedule H1, and Schedule X of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
- •The proposed Drugs Amendment Rules, 2026, will officially take effect upon their final publication in the Official Gazette.
- •The government has invited public objections and suggestions on the draft rules within 30 days of their release.
- •The draft was introduced following consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board under the powers of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Key Questions Answered
The Union health ministry proposed that prescription drugs under Schedule H, H1, and X cannot be advertised without the prior sanction of the Central Government. The draft Drugs (Amendment) Rules, 2026, were issued on September 28.
The draft rules were issued using powers conferred by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, after consulting with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board.
The government invited objections and suggestions on the draft rules from the public within 30 days of the Gazette notification.
