India moves high-alcohol medicines to prescription-only to curb misuse

India has amended its Drugs Rules to require a doctor's prescription for oral medicines containing more than 12% ethyl alcohol in packs over 30 ml, ending a long-standing licensing exemption. The change, notified by the health ministry, moves affected cough syrups, tonics and tinctures—some up to 80–90% alcohol—into the stricter Schedule H1. Retailers must now log every sale and manufacturers add warning labels.