The government has proposed advance vetting of advertisements for prescription drugs. A draft notification was issued on September 28. It covers drugs under Schedules H, H1 and X.

Under the plan, companies must get prior approval before advertising these medicines to the public. The draft amends Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules. The public has 30 days to send objections and suggestions.

Officials said the move aims to stop misleading ads that push people to self-medicate. Prescription drugs can have serious side effects if taken without a doctor’s advice. Social media has made such ads harder to track and control.

Doctors’ groups welcomed the proposal as a patient-safety step. Pharma companies said they will study the draft before responding. The final rules will be issued after the objection window closes.

The proposal follows complaints about celebrity-endorsed health products on social media. Consumer groups said stricter ad rules are overdue. The health ministry will hold stakeholder consultations before finalising the norms.