Mumbai chemists rarely demand prescriptions, survey reveals gaps in drug regulation

71% consumers in Mumbai rarely asked for prescription, survey finds; Maharashtra FDA acted against 880 drug licensees in three months

More than seven in ten consumers surveyed in Mumbai reported that chemists never or rarely refused to sell medicines without a doctor's prescription, revealing significant gaps in compliance with pharmaceutical regulations even as state and central authorities tighten enforcement.

The LocalCircles survey, which received more than 20,000 responses across its questions, found that 71% of Mumbai consumers said chemists never or rarely insisted on a prescription before dispensing medicines, compared with 64% nationally. The findings were published on September 18, 2026.

Prescription checks largely absent at point of sale

Of 3,697 Mumbai respondents who answered the question on prescription checks, 36% said chemists never refused to give them medicines without a prescription and another 35% said they did so very rarely. Only 9% said chemists refused such sales most of the time and 5% said they always did so.

The survey also found that only 28% of respondents said they were assisted by a qualified pharmacist most of the time or always, while 21% said they were assisted by someone who was not a qualified pharmacist.

Home deliveries show even weaker oversight

The gap in prescription verification was also visible in home deliveries. Of 3,122 respondents, 18% said their chemist never demanded a doctor's prescription during ordering or delivery and 40% said this happened very rarely. Only 23% said a prescription was sought most of the time or always.

The survey showed that neighbourhood chemists remain the main source of medicines in Mumbai. Of 3,012 respondents, 57% said they visited or sent someone to a local chemist, while 26% ordered from their chemist through phone calls or WhatsApp for home delivery. Only 17% primarily used e-pharmacy apps.

National survey reflects similar patterns

The national survey, published a day earlier on September 17, 2026, showed similar, though somewhat lower, levels of reported non-compliance. Across India, 64% of consumers surveyed said their chemist never or rarely insisted on a doctor's prescription, while only 15% said chemists did so most of the time or always.

Only 31% said they were assisted by a qualified pharmacist most of the time or always, while 13% said the person assisting them was not qualified. The nationwide survey received more than 106,000 responses from consumers across 327 districts. It also found that 41% said chemists never or rarely sought prescriptions during home delivery, compared with 58% in Mumbai.

Centre proposes mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores

The findings come as the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has floated draft amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945, proposing mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores supplying medicines sold on a registered medical practitioner's prescription. The draft, issued through Gazette notification G.S.R. 791(E) dated September 8, proposes inserting a new sub-rule after Rule 65(2).

It states that retail supply of prescription medicines should take place under CCTV surveillance installed and maintained at the premises. The proposal is aimed at strengthening oversight of the sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs and curbing sales without valid prescriptions. The government has invited objections and suggestions before finalising the amendment.

Maharashtra FDA suspends or cancels 880 licences in three months

The proposed rule comes amid a sharper enforcement drive by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration. Between June and August 2026, the FDA inspected 2,902 drug establishments, including 2,295 sales establishments and 607 manufacturing units, and initiated action against 880 licensees.

Of these, 677 licences were suspended, and 203 were cancelled, with 740 of the 880 actions involving retailers and wholesalers. During the same three-month period, the FDA conducted 104 search-and-seizure operations, seized illegal drugs and cosmetics worth Rs 11.41 crore, registered 20 FIRs and made 21 arrests.

Inspectors flag violations mirrored in consumer survey

FDA inspectors flagged several of the same issues reflected in the consumer survey, including the sale of medicines without registered pharmacist supervision, dispensing prescription medicines without valid prescriptions, incomplete Schedule H1 records and sales without proper invoices. Other violations included expired medicines being kept in sale stock and inadequate temperature controls for products such as insulin and vaccines.

Billing gaps persist in Mumbai pharmacies

The Mumbai survey also found billing gaps. While 76% said they generally received a printed GST invoice and 3% received a manually prepared GST bill, 20% effectively did not receive a proper GST bill.

LocalCircles said the Mumbai findings would be shared with the Maharashtra FDA, Union Health Ministry and CDSCO, and called for stricter verification of registered pharmacists, prescription checks for phone and WhatsApp deliveries and better documentation of medicine sales. The findings were published on September 19, 2026.

The convergence of consumer survey data and enforcement findings underscores persistent regulatory challenges in Mumbai's pharmaceutical retail sector, even as authorities deploy intensified inspection regimes and propose technology-driven oversight mechanisms.

Source: The Hindu