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Salt composition

The active molecule or molecules in a pack, with strengths.

The salt composition is what a medicine actually is, independent of what it is called. 'Pan-D 40mg' is a brand; 'Pantoprazole 40mg + Domperidone 30mg' is the composition. Two packs share a composition when they contain the same molecules at the same strengths.

It is the field that makes substitution searchable. A pharmacist asked for an unavailable brand needs to find other packs with the same composition, which is impossible from brand names alone because they follow no pattern.

Composition also drives schedule classification more reliably than the brand does. Whether a medicine is Schedule H or H1 follows the molecule, so a brand name that says nothing can still be classified correctly from its salt.

Combination products carry more than one molecule, and a change in any one of them makes it a different product for substitution purposes even where the brand name is similar.

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Related terms

Generic vs branded medicineSame active molecule, different name and usually a very different price. Schedule HA class of prescription-only medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945. Batch numberThe manufacturer's identifier for a specific production lot, printed on the pack. HSN codeThe Harmonised System of Nomenclature code that determines a product's GST treatment.

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.