Drug License for Pharmacy & Wholesale
Open your medical store or pharma distribution business with the right drug licence from your State Drugs Control Department. We check your premises, pharmacist and storage before filing, prepare every document and plan, file online, and stay with you through the drug inspector's visit until the licence is issued.
- Retail and wholesale licences
- Premises and pharmacist checked first
- Inspection preparation and follow-up
- 5-year retention fee reminders
What is a drug licence?
A drug licence is permission from your State Drugs Control Department, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and its Rules, to sell, stock, exhibit or distribute medicines. Anyone running a pharmacy, medical store, or wholesale or distribution business for drugs needs one before starting.
Licences are issued for specific premises and specific categories of drugs, after a drug inspector checks the premises, storage and qualified staff. Most states now take applications online through the national drugs licensing portal or their own system.
Applications are most often delayed by small things: a premises a little under the minimum area, a pharmacist registered in another state, a missing refrigerator, or a rent agreement that doesn't match. We check all of that before you apply.
Types of drug licence
The licence you need depends on whether you sell retail or wholesale, and which categories of drugs you handle.
| Licence | For | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Form 20 | Retail | Drugs other than those in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 21 | Retail | Schedule C and C(1) drugs, such as vaccines, insulin and sera |
| Form 20B | Wholesale | Drugs other than those in Schedules C, C(1) and X |
| Form 21B | Wholesale | Schedule C and C(1) drugs |
| Forms 20F / 20G | Retail / wholesale | Schedule X drugs, under stricter storage and record rules |
| Forms 20A / 21A | Restricted | General stores selling only certain household and over-the-counter medicines, without a pharmacist |
| Forms 20C / 20D | Homoeopathy | Retail and wholesale of homoeopathic medicines |
Most pharmacies take Forms 20 and 21 together, and most distributors take 20B and 21B. Manufacturing licences, medical device licences and import licences follow separate procedures; ask us.
Which forms do you need, and are you eligible?
Tell us about your business and premises. We'll show the licence forms, the government fee and any gaps to fix before you apply.
1 sq m ≈ 10.76 sq ft. Qualified person: a registered pharmacist for retail; for wholesale, a pharmacist or a person with the required education and drug-trade experience.
Government fee
—
Indicative central fees; some states charge differently or add charges. Our professional fee is separate. Requirements vary slightly by state.
Requirements for a drug licence
The drug inspector checks these during the inspection. Get them right before you apply.
- 1Minimum areaAt least 10 square metres for a retail or a wholesale licence, and 15 square metres if both are in the same premises. Some states also set a minimum ceiling height.
- 2Registered pharmacist for retailA pharmacist registered with your state's pharmacy council, working full-time during opening hours.
- 3Competent person for wholesaleA registered pharmacist, a graduate with 1 year of experience in drug sales, or a matriculate with 4 years of experience.
- 4Proper storageA refrigerator for vaccines, insulin and other cold-chain drugs, air conditioning where labels require it, and protection from sunlight, dust and damp.
- 5Legal right to the premisesOwnership or a registered rent agreement, a premises suitable for commercial use, and a layout plan.
- 6Clean recordThe applicant, partners or directors must not have been convicted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Drug licence plans
A fixed professional fee per premises. Government fees are paid on the portal at actuals.
Retail Drug Licence
For a new pharmacy or medical store.
₹4,999₹7,499+ GST + govt fee · Forms 20 & 21
- Premises, storage and pharmacist check
- Site plan and all declarations prepared
- Online application and fee payment
- Inspection preparation checklist
- Follow-up on shortcomings until grant
- Retention fee reminder
- Wholesale licence
- Schedule X licence
Wholesale Drug Licence
For distributors, stockists and C&F agents.
₹5,999₹8,499+ GST + govt fee · Forms 20B & 21B
- Premises, storage and competent person check
- Site plan and all declarations prepared
- Online application and fee payment
- Inspection preparation checklist
- Follow-up on shortcomings until grant
- Purchase and sale record formats
Retail + Wholesale
Both licences for one premises of at least 15 sq m.
₹7,999₹11,999+ GST + govt fees · Forms 20, 21, 20B & 21B
- Everything in Retail and Wholesale, plus:
- Combined layout for retail and wholesale
- Both qualified persons' papers checked
- GST registration check
- One change of pharmacist or address free for 1 year
- Schedule H1 register format
- Priority support
GST at 18% applies to our fee. Government fees, typically ₹1,500 per licence form, are extra. Retention fee filing: ₹1,999. Change of pharmacist, competent person or address: ₹1,999. Schedule X or homoeopathic licence with any plan: ₹1,999 extra. We don't provide pharmacists or competent persons, and approval rests with the Drugs Control Department.
Documents required for a drug licence
We give you a checklist for your state and prepare the declarations and plans.
Applicant
- PAN and Aadhaar of the proprietor, partners or directors
- Constitution: partnership deed, LLP agreement or incorporation certificate
- Declaration of no conviction under the Act
- Board resolution or authority letter, if applicable
Premises
- Ownership proof or rent agreement
- Site plan and key plan with dimensions
- Electricity bill or property tax receipt
- Refrigerator and AC purchase bills, where applicable
Qualified person
- Pharmacist's registration certificate and qualification
- Or competent person's education and experience certificates
- Appointment letter and affidavit of full-time working
- ID proof and photo
How we get your drug licence
Typically 3 to 6 weeks from complete application to licence, depending on your state and inspection schedule.
Premises and staff checkDay 1–2
We review area, layout, storage and the pharmacist's or competent person's papers against your state's rules.
Documents and plansDays 2–5
Site plan, declarations, affidavits and forms prepared and signed.
Online applicationDay 5–7
Filed on the state or national drugs licensing portal, with the government fee paid and the application submitted to the office.
InspectionWeeks 2–4
A drug inspector visits the premises. We prepare you on what they'll check and answer any shortcomings raised.
Licence issuedWeeks 3–6
The licence is granted. We set your retention fee reminder and help with display and records.
Keeping your drug licence valid
Drug sale licences no longer need renewal, but they do need a retention fee every five years, and daily compliance in between.
- Every 5 yearsRetention feePay before the five-year period ends. Late payment typically attracts 2% a month, and the licence is cancelled if not paid within six months.
- DailyPrescriptions and recordsSell Schedule H, H1 and X drugs only on prescription, keep purchase and sale bills, and maintain the Schedule H1 register.
- AlwaysPharmacist presentA registered pharmacist must supervise retail sales during opening hours.
- ChangesReport changes promptlyA new pharmacist, competent person, partner or address needs approval or intimation to the Drugs Control Department.
- Also neededOther registrationsGST, Shop and Establishment, trade licence and, for nutraceuticals, FSSAI. Selling medical devices may need a separate registration.
Start, Build and Grow with one team
From licences to getting patients and retailers to find you.
All your licences
Drug licence, GST, Shop Act, trade licence and FSSAI, with one renewal calendar.
GST registrationGet found locally
A Google Business Profile and website so nearby customers find your pharmacy.
Google Business ProfileDrug licence: frequently asked questions
What is a drug licence?+
Permission from the State Drugs Control Department under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 to sell, stock, exhibit or distribute medicines from specific premises.
Which drug licence do I need for a medical store?+
Most pharmacies need Form 20 for general drugs and Form 21 for Schedule C and C(1) drugs like vaccines and insulin. Schedule X drugs need Form 20F.
Which licence do distributors need?+
Wholesalers and distributors need Form 20B and Form 21B. Schedule X drugs at wholesale need Form 20G.
What is the government fee for a drug licence?+
Typically ₹1,500 for each licence form, so a retail pharmacy taking Forms 20 and 21 pays about ₹3,000. Some states charge differently, so we confirm before filing. Our professional fee is separate.
How much area is needed for a drug licence?+
At least 10 square metres for a retail or a wholesale licence, and 15 square metres if both are run from the same premises.
Is a pharmacist mandatory?+
Yes, for a retail licence. A pharmacist registered with your state's pharmacy council must work full-time and supervise sales. Wholesale needs a competent person, who can also be a pharmacist.
Who can be a competent person for a wholesale licence?+
A registered pharmacist, a graduate with at least 1 year of experience in dealing with drugs, or a matriculate with at least 4 years of such experience.
Can I get a drug licence without being a pharmacist myself?+
Yes. The owner doesn't need to be a pharmacist, as long as a qualified pharmacist or competent person is employed for the business.
How long does it take to get a drug licence?+
Usually 3 to 6 weeks after a complete application, depending on the state and when the drug inspector visits. Some states commit to around 35 days.
Does a drug licence need renewal?+
Sale licences no longer need renewal, but a retention fee must be paid every five years. Late payment typically attracts 2% a month, and the licence is cancelled if not paid within six months.
Is a refrigerator required?+
Yes, if you stock Schedule C and C(1) drugs like vaccines and insulin, which need cold storage. Inspectors also check general storage conditions.
Can a general store sell medicines?+
Only with a restricted licence in Forms 20A or 21A, which allows certain household remedies and over-the-counter medicines. Prescription drugs need a full pharmacy licence.
What documents are needed?+
Identity and constitution documents, ownership or rent agreement, site plan, the pharmacist's or competent person's registration and appointment papers, declarations, and storage equipment bills.
Do I need separate licences for different branches?+
Yes. Each premises needs its own drug licence, pharmacist and inspection.
What happens during the drug inspection?+
The inspector checks the premises area, storage, refrigerator, the qualified person's presence and papers, and that the premises matches the plan submitted.
Do I need GST and other registrations too?+
Usually yes: GST registration, Shop and Establishment registration and, in many cities, a trade licence. Selling nutraceuticals may need FSSAI registration.
Can I sell medicines online with a drug licence?+
Online sale of medicines is a regulated and evolving area. A licensed pharmacy must still follow prescription and dispensing rules. Talk to us about your model before you start.
Can you help with a manufacturing or medical device licence?+
Those follow separate, more detailed procedures with the state or central regulator. Contact us and we'll assess what your product needs.
Open your pharmacy with the paperwork done right
Tell us your city and premises. We'll confirm the forms, fees and anything to fix before you apply.
IBACT Digital (IBACT Innovations Pvt Ltd) is a private consultancy, not a government body. Drug licences are granted by the State Drugs Control Department after inspection, and you can apply directly; our fee is for professional assistance. Government fees are extra. We do not supply pharmacists or competent persons, and we don't guarantee approval. The licence finder is a general guide; rules and fees vary by state.