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Drug licence (Form 20 / Form 21)

The retail licence required to sell medicines in India, issued by the state authority.

A retail pharmacy sells under Form 20 (for most medicines) and Form 21 (for certain other categories), issued by the state drug control authority against an application in Form 19. Additional forms cover restricted classes — Schedule X supplies require their own licence.

The licence is conditional. It requires a registered pharmacist to be present, premises meeting the prescribed area and storage requirements including refrigeration where cold-chain products are held, and the record-keeping obligations under Rule 65.

Licences are periodically renewed, and renewal is where avoidable trouble arises: a lapsed licence means a shop cannot legally sell, and reinstatement is slower than renewal. The renewal date is worth tracking with the same seriousness as an expiry date.

Requirements, fees and renewal cycles are set at state level and differ. Confirm with your own state authority rather than relying on a national summary.

Free, no signup — Rule 65 register format.

Open Rule 65 register format →

Related terms

Rule 65The rule in the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945 setting out sale conditions and record-keeping. Schedule XThe most restricted class under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, requiring a separate licence and register. Schedule HA class of prescription-only medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945. DPCO (Drugs Prices Control Order)The order under which the government fixes ceiling prices for scheduled medicines. Pharmacist registrationThe state pharmacy council registration a practising pharmacist must hold.

All terms

Batch numberBreakage and damageCDSCOCGST, SGST and IGSTCold chainCredit noteDPCO (Drugs Prices Control Order)Drug licence (Form 20 / Form 21)Expiry returnFEFO (First Expiry First Out)Generic vs branded medicineGSTR-1GSTR-3BHSN codeInput tax credit (ITC)Loose sale (cut strip)MRP (Maximum Retail Price)Narcotic registerNear-expiry stockNPPAPack factor (units per pack)Pharmacist registrationPTR (Price to Retailer)PTS (Price to Stockist)Purchase invoiceRed-border warning labelReorder levelRetail vs wholesale drug licenceReturn to vendor (RTV)Rule 65Rx symbolSalt compositionSchedule HSchedule H1Schedule XScheme goods (free goods)Shortbook (short book)Stock rotationStockist

This glossary is a practical reference for Indian retail pharmacy, not legal, tax or clinical advice. Requirements under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules are enforced by state drug control authorities and vary; GST treatment should be confirmed with your CA. Verify anything you intend to rely on against the current notified position. As of August 2026.