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CCTV Mandatory at Medical Stores: Government's Drug Addiction Plan Faces Chemist Opposition
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News18•20-09-2026, 15:35
CCTV Mandatory at Medical Stores: Government's Drug Addiction Plan Faces Chemist Opposition
- •The central government proposes mandatory CCTV installation at medical stores, with recordings to be stored for three months.
- •The Health Ministry argues this will curb the sale of addiction-causing drugs, particularly Schedule H, H1, and X medicines.
- •The proposal originated in 2021 due to concerns about adolescents consuming addictive drugs without medical advice.
- •Chemist organizations oppose the move, citing it as a burden on small shopkeepers and raising patient privacy concerns.
- •A 2019 AIIMS report highlighted substance abuse among children and adolescents as a significant problem in India.
Key Questions Answered
The central government aims to curb the unauthorized and illegal sale of prescription drugs, including Schedule H, H1, and X medications, and prevent substance abuse among adolescents.
Chemist organizations argue that the setup costs around one lakh rupees, creating a heavy financial burden for small shops, and raise concerns regarding power outages, internet issues, and patient privacy.
Under the proposed amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, medical stores must securely preserve their CCTV video recordings for a minimum of three months.
