You may have noticed a red stripe on the packages of many medicines. It's not just for ornamental purposes. This supposedly minor detail conveys a big message about the medicine inside. Nonetheless, a few people are aware that this line represents something extremely important about the drug, tablet, pills, and capsules. As a result, understanding its significance is critical. We have seen people take medicines without consulting a physician, and this may endanger one's life. And as we all know, self-medicating can be hazardous, sometimes even life-threatening.
To address this issue, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) issued an advisory on March 10, 2024, in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), emphasizing the significance of paying attention to a specific detail on the back label of medications.
Taking to X, the Ministry of Health stated: "You can prevent antibiotic resistance! A RED LINE on the strip of medicines implies that the medicine should not be consumed without a doctor's prescription."
Accordingly, it is advised to check for the red line along with expiry date on the back side of the medications.
So, it is better not to take any medicine on your own or at the suggestion of someone at the pharmacy store. It is very important to consult a doctor, especially before taking the drug with the red line.
Previously, the Ministry of Health had also shared a post on the X handle in 2016, to inform public about this red line and advising them not to take such medications without a physician’s prescription.
MoHFW launched a ‘Red Line Awareness Campaign’ on Antimicrobial Resistance, urging people not to use medicines marked with a red vertical line, including antibiotics, without a doctor’s prescription. These medicines are called ‘Medicines with the Red Line’.1
In India, antibiotics fall under Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules 1945, which require a valid prescription for sale from retail pharmacies. However, studies have shown extensive over-the-counter (OTC) sales of antibiotics across the country, primarily due to patient preferences, challenges in the health system, and regulatory oversight. To curb the OTC sale of antibiotics, in 2014, the Government of India amended the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and introduced Schedule H1. It initially contained 24 antibiotics, including 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, anti-TB drugs, and newer fluoroquinolones, as well as habit-forming agents. 1
The retail pharmacies were intended to maintain a register of prescriptions and sales for a period of 3 years for the medications listed in Schedule H1.1
Another key step by the Indian government was to improve awareness and curb the OTC use of antibiotics through the ‘Red Line campaign’. This initiative launched in 2016, in which antibiotics and certain other prescription-only medicines had a bold red colored line on the blister pack. The main purpose of this 5mm-thick red vertical band (line) is to sensitize people to be cautious while buying these medicines that are widely sold without prescriptions.2
So, while you check the expiry date of the medications, it is equally important to note if the packet has a red line on it.
References:
Mathew P, Thomas SA, Chandy SJ. The role of Schedule H1 and Red Line campaign in improving antibiotic use in India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Jun;11(6):2656-2661. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1811_21. Epub 2022 Jun 30. PMID: 36119342; PMCID: PMC9480811.Available on-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9480811/#R10 Visited on- 12/3/2024
Srivastava R. India lauded for red line campaign on antibiotics. The Hindu. 2016. Available from:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-lauded-for-red-line-campaign-on-antibiotics/article8622474.ece . Visited on- 12/3/2024
(Input from various sources)
(Original/Komal Bhoi/MSM)