Prescription & scheduled medicines
Updated 19 October 2026
Last updated: 19 October 2026
Medicines in India are grouped by the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and the NDPS Act, 1985. The group decides whether a medicine needs a prescription and whether Medcare Pharmacy can sell it online.
At a glance
| Group | Prescription needed? | Can I order it on this website? |
|---|---|---|
| OTC / general (e.g. pain balms, ORS, vitamins) | No | Yes |
| Schedule G | No, but use under medical advice | Yes |
| Schedule H (most antibiotics, BP and diabetes medicines…) | Yes | Yes — upload a valid prescription; our pharmacist checks it before packing |
| Schedule H1 | Yes | No — store only |
| Schedule X | Yes (special prescription) | No — store only |
| Narcotic & psychotropic (NDPS) medicines | Yes (special prescription) | No — store only |
Medicines sold only at our store
Schedule H1, Schedule X and narcotic medicines are not sold online. To buy them, please visit Medcare Pharmacy with a recent, valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Our pharmacist will check the prescription and record the sale as the law requires.
Schedule H1 medicines (by salt name)
Alprazolam, Balofloxacin, Buprenorphine, Capreomycin, Cefdinir, Cefditoren, Cefepime, Cefetamet, Cefixime, Cefoperazone, Cefotaxime, Cefpirome, Cefpodoxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftibuten, Ceftizoxime, Ceftriaxone, Chlordiazepoxide, Clofazimine, Codeine, Cycloserine, Diazepam, Diphenoxylate, Doripenem, Ertapenem, Ethambutol, Ethionamide, Faropenem, Gemifloxacin, Imipenem, Isoniazid, Levofloxacin, Meropenem, Midazolam, Moxifloxacin, Nitrazepam, Pentazocine, Prulifloxacin, Pyrazinamide, Rifabutin, Rifampicin, Sodium para-aminosalicylate, Sparfloxacin, Thiacetazone, Tramadol and Zolpidem — and medicines that contain them.
Schedule X and narcotic medicines
Strong sleeping and anti-anxiety medicines, strong painkillers and some cough syrups fall in these groups (for example medicines containing morphine, codeine in higher strengths, pethidine, fentanyl, methylphenidate, amphetamine or barbiturates). They are sold only at the store, against a special prescription.
Good to know
- The government updates these lists from time to time. If you're not sure about a medicine, ask our pharmacist — call 9030535820 or write to support@medcarepharmacy.in.
- A prescription is valid only if it carries the doctor's name, registration number, signature, date and your name.
- Never share or reuse someone else's prescription.