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Rx symbol

The mark on a pack indicating a prescription-only medicine.

The Rx symbol, with the accompanying warning that the drug is to be sold by retail on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner only, identifies a Schedule H medicine. It is the everyday signal that a sale needs a prescription.

It does not by itself indicate Schedule H1. That class carries the additional red-bordered warning box and requires a separate register entry as well as the prescription.

Where a pack carries neither mark, that is not proof the medicine is over the counter — packaging varies and scraped databases frequently misclassify. Where classification is uncertain, treat it as prescription-required and verify.

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Related terms

Schedule HA class of prescription-only medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945. Red-border warning labelThe mandatory red-bordered box on Schedule H1 packs. Schedule H1Prescription-only medicines that additionally require a dedicated register entry under Rule 65. CDSCOThe Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, India's national drug regulator.

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.