In a move that could provide significant financial relief to patients, the Central Government is considering a proposal to make it mandatory for pharmacies to sell the exact number of tablets prescribed by a doctor. Currently, patients are often forced to buy entire strips of 10 or 15 tablets even if they only need a few, leading to unnecessary expenses and medicinal waste. This issue was highlighted during a recent meeting of the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) following public complaints.

However, the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has raised red flags over the practical implementation of this rule. In a letter to the Drugs Controller General of India on April 7, they expressed concerns regarding safety and financial viability. Their primary worry is that cutting strips could obscure crucial information like batch numbers and expiry dates, potentially endangering patients. They also pointed out that unsold portions of cut strips cannot be returned to manufacturers, causing direct losses to chemists. While the proposal is currently with a sub-committee for further review on labeling, it has sparked a major debate between patient advocacy groups and pharmaceutical retailers.