Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in India, and also among the most regulated. With antimicrobial resistance now a national health priority, prescribing practices are under increasing scrutiny. Here is what every doctor needs to know about writing antibiotic prescriptions correctly — on paper and digitally. What Schedule Category Are Antibiotics Under in India? Most antibiotics in India fall under Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. This means they can only be sold by a pharmacist against a valid prescription from a Registered Medical Practitioner. A subset of critically important antibiotics — including carbapenems, colistin, and linezolid — fall under Schedule H1, which carries stricter dispensing and record-keeping requirements. No antibiotic is available over the counter legally in India, though enforcement varies by region. What Must an Antibiotic Prescription Include? Practical Summary: Antibiotic Prescribing Rules in India 1. Are All Antibiotics Prescription-Only? Yes. All antibiotics are Schedule H or Schedule H1 under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. No antibiotic is legally over-the-counter. Schedule H: Most common antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, doxycycline). Schedule H1: Higher-risk antibiotics with stricter pharmacy documentation: 3rd-gen cephalosporins: cefixime, ceftriaxone, cefpodoxime Carbapenems: meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem Colistin, polymyxins Linezolid Vancomycin 2. Mandatory Elements of an Antibiotic Prescription