A specialized three-member committee of gynaecologists has been established to curate a list of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to be sold in regular stores rather than exclusively in pharmacies. These drugs will be available without a prescription.

Led by Directorate General of Health Services' Atul Goel, the committee includes Dr. Bindu Bajaj from Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Ashok Kumar from RML Hospital, and Dr. Reena from Lady Hardinge Medical College. They are tasked with completing the list within the next two weeks.

In 2022, India proposed an OTC drug policy aimed at reducing treatment costs and promoting self-care while maintaining safety standards. However, despite approval from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, the policy hasn't been implemented.

Currently, India lacks a comprehensive policy for the distribution, marketing, and consumption of OTC drugs, unlike countries like the US, UK, and China. This is despite certain medications for conditions like cough and cold, as well as contraceptives, being available without a prescription. The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945, do not define or regulate OTC medicines in India.