The health ministry has banned the over-the-counter sale of around 14 such creams to prevent the indiscriminate sale of topical preparations containing steroids and antibiotics without a prescription . This move came after the complaints from the dermatologists that pharmaceutical companies were selling steroid- based creams and ointments to patients who use them without prescription . Recently the health ministry made amendments to the to certain Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and has issued a notification putting 14 steroid-based creams and ointments under the Schedule H category.
This notification came after the consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) which had recommended a ban on the sale of such creams without a prescription and had also submitted their recommendations to the Central Drugs Standards Control Organization (CDSCO). These revised rules will apply…
