Bengaluru: With Union health ministry proposing significant amendments to Drugs Rules, 1945, city-based chemists have flagged concerns related to regulations on CCTV surveillance.As a regulatory measure, govt recommended mandatory CCTV surveillance at medical stores. While that could enhance transparency and accountability, pharmacists in Bengaluru feel preservation of CCTV recordings for three months should be dropped or substantially reconsidered from the final rules.The ministry had last month published the draft gazette notification with an aim to address concerns relating to unauthorised access to and sale of Schedule H, H1 and X drugs.The proposal was initially discussed by Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) and subsequently circulated among members of Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which gave the green signal.In an appeal to central govt, Bangalore District Chemists’ and Druggists’ Association (BDCDA) argued that CCTV systems should be used for accountability and not to criminalise retail pharmacies.BDCDA president B Thirunavukkarasu said CCTV should be a tool for accountability and not become a mechanism for creating constant fear among retail pharmacists. “A retailer should be able to conduct legitimate day-to-day business without living under the fear that every interaction, every transaction and every operational moment could subsequently become the subject of scrutiny, complaints or harassment,” he added.Pharmacists fear compulsory retention and production of recordings could potentially increase opportunities for interference, harassment and corrupt practices unless strict safeguards, access controls and accountability mechanisms are prescribed.“I have been running a medical shop in Bengaluru for more than 40 years; we have always embraced technology and even without the mandate, my shop has CCTV. There is no necessity to have a backup of 90 days,” said Laxman Raja, who runs a pharmacy in Malleswaram.
