The Union Health Ministry is considering a proposal to control the amount of alcohol in medication preparations such as aromatic tinctures to control their illegal sale at pharmacies. The alcohol content in aromatic cardamom tincture (an intoxicating agent) is very high, they are most often used as ‘country liquor’ by economically weaker sections. The concern was raised by the Uttar Pradesh government.

As part of the proposal, the government plans to amend the Drug Rules, 1945 to bring alcohol-based drug formulations under Schedule H1 from the existing Schedule K drugs.

Drugs listed as Schedule H1 are those that require a prescription from a doctor to purchase, these products now come in 30ml bottles rather than the previous 100ml sizes.

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The suggestion was made by experts during a recent meeting of the drugs consultative committee chaired by Rajeev Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

In the Asia Pacific area, India is one of the top importers and exporters of aromatic compounds. According to a market research report, the Indian market size was $252 million in 2022 and is expected to reach $378 million by 2028, exhibiting an annual growth rate of 6.3% during 2023-2028.

The committee was informed that aromatic cardamom tincture and other alcoholic preparations, in which the content of alcohol is very high, are being sold by medical stores and often being consumed as ‘country liquor’.

Alcohol content in Aromatic Cardamom Tincture

“The alcohol content in Aromatic Cardamom Tincture is in the range of 84%v/v to 87%v/v and is being sold in 100ml packs. They are specified under class 10(iv) of Schedule K of the Drug Rules, 1945 and are being misused due to exemptions as per the said Schedule," said the top regulator adding that being cheap, they are being misused as liquor by economically weaker people posing a big concern for public health.

The tincture of aromatic cardamom may have pharmacological uses as an antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent.

Police have come across several incidents where they have found trafficking in such products. According to a report in 2018, UP police seized 555 bottles of aromatic cardamom tincture worth Rs250,000 and arrested two people.

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