Accordingly a top panel of experts has cleared the proposal to simplify the sale of oral contraceptive pills in a move that will enhance access and resolve confusion over two contradictory rules. Perhaps the move if approved by the drug controller general of india (DCGI) will relax the labelling requirements for weekly oral contraceptive drug, centchroman, and a daily contraceptive drug combination of ethinyloestradiol and levonorgestrel. The Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) deliberated over the proposal in its meeting in august and submitted it for approval with DCGI.
Moreover these drugs fell under Schedule H and Schedule K, but the two schedules completely contradict the sales requirements. Currently the panel has now decided to align and bring clarity as there are many other hindrances in Schedule H such as the promotion and advertisement of these drugs for awareness campaigns and educating women on their usage. Not only in towns, but the need for prescription to buy oral contraceptives will damage the objective of family planning drives in the rural and remote pockets of India.
Perhaps HLL mentioned in the presentation, include Schedule H drug cannot be advertised, which is very essential for social marketing to educate people about proper use of the product. Also, Schedule H drug can only be sold with a prescription of a registered medical practitioner whereas social marketing products are meant for providing affordable contraceptive in the remotest area of the country where availability of registered medical practitioners is a constraint.
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