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Rumors circulating about a national ban on paracetamol and other common medicines have been categorically denied by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In a clarification issued on August 5, 2025, the Ministry stated that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has not received any information supporting these claims.
While Paracetamol remains unaffected, officials noted that some fixed-dose combinations involving paracetamol with other drugs have been prohibited in recent regulatory actions. The complete list of these banned combinations is publicly available on the CDSCO website.
Drug Pricing and Regulation
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which oversees drug prices under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013), reiterated that paracetamol and other essential medicines are subject to price regulation to ensure affordability. For drugs listed in the National List of Essential Medicines, including over-the-counter (OTC) products like paracetamol, the NPPA annually sets and revises ceiling prices based on the Wholesale Price Index. All manufacturers and marketers must comply with these price limits.
New drug formulations and combinations, as well as non-scheduled drugs, are also monitored to prevent excessive price increases. For unscheduled drugs, manufacturers are restricted from raising maximum retail prices by more than 10% over 12 months, with NPPA ensuring compliance.
Ensuring Access to Essential Medicines
To further guarantee access, the government operates the Free Drugs Service Initiative under the National Health Mission. This program supports states and union territories to provide free essential medicines in public health facilities, from rural sub-centers to major district hospitals. The initiative covers everything from procurement and quality assurance to supply chain management and prescription audits.
A technological platform, the Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS), monitors the procurement and distribution of medicines nationwide, giving officials a real-time dashboard for stock and supply. Medical Stores Organizations and government depots maintain active contracts to supply nearly 700 drug formulations to over 1,100 registered public healthcare institutions across the country.
Facility-wise Essential Medicines Lists exist for every tier of public healthcare, ranging from 106 drugs at sub-health centers to 381 drugs at district hospitals. States have the flexibility to expand these lists to accommodate local needs.
Official Assurance
Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Smt Anupriya Patel reported these facts in the Rajya Sabha, reassuring the public that essential drugs, including paracetamol, remain widely available and are not subject to any ban.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as of August 5, 2025. For ongoing updates, refer to official communications from government authorities and the website of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
