The Indian health ministry made amendments to certain rules of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and put 14 steroid-based creams and ointments under the Schedule H category.
This step has been taken to stop the indiscriminate sale of topical preparations containing steroids and antibiotics without the prescription.
Actually, this move is the result from the complaint made by the dermatologists where they clearly mentioned that many of their patients used steroid- based creams and ointments without medical supervision as many of the pharma companies were selling them freely over the counter.
The notice was released by the Health Ministry on this change in the March 2018. Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) also had submitted their consideration to Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) regarding the ban on steroid based creams and ointments. Finally, Health Ministry made a decision with the consultation DTAB and CDSCO.
These rules are not applicable for ordinary face-cleansing and moisturizers. Some of the common creams that get banned are alclometasone, beclomethasone, and desonide etc.
