The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released a draft notification proposing a distinct blue vertical line on the labels of all antimicrobial medicines, a move aimed at improving identification and promoting the rational use of antibiotics in the country.
Issued under G.S.R. 51(E), the draft seeks to amend the Drugs Rules, 1945, by inserting a new provision under Rule 96 related to labelling requirements. As per the proposal, antimicrobial drugs and their formulations will be required to carry a “conspicuous blue vertical strip on the left side running throughout the body of the label,” without affecting other mandatory label information.
Officials said the proposed blue line is intended to serve as a clear visual marker for healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and patients, helping to quickly distinguish antimicrobial medicines from other drug categories. The initiative aligns with India’s broader public health strategy to curb antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global concern driven largely by misuse and overuse of antibiotics.
The draft rules have been published after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, as required under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The ministry has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders and the general public within 30 days from the date the notification is made available in the Gazette of India.
Once finalized, the amendment will come into force from a date to be specified by the government at the time of its final publication. Stakeholders from the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare sector, and consumer groups are expected to closely review the proposal, as it will have implications for drug packaging, compliance, and awareness practices nationwide.
