symbolic picture
– Photo: ANI
Expansion
Official sources in the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) said on Friday that there has been no change in the rules for the sale and distribution of emergency contraceptive pills like I-Pill or Unwanted 72 and they will continue to be available without prescription.
CDSCO sources said that some reports have misinterpreted the proposal to change the rules regarding requirement of doctor's prescription for sale of hormonal contraceptives under Schedule 'H' and 'K' of the Drugs Rules.
There is no change in the status quo with regard to sale and distribution at drug stores of emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) brands like 'I-Pill' or 'Unwanted 72', an official source said. Currently, the contraceptive drugs Centchroman and ethinyl estradiol are under Schedule H of the drug regulations, which means they can be sold only on prescription.
However, some 'strengths' of these medicines are also included in Schedule 'K' of the drug regulations, which means that medicines with these specific strengths do not require a prescription to purchase.
Proposed amendment to the Drug Rules whereby a clear statement 'The class of drugs specified in Entry No. 15 of the Schedule shall not be covered by this Schedule' will be added to Schedule H of the Rules. This will remove ambiguity and simplify the process of sale of such medicines (of selected strengths), sources said.
