The Ministry of Health and Family welfare vide its notification dated 7th April 2021 has published the the Drugs (3rd Amendment) Rules, 2021 which shall come into force from 1st November 2021
The Amendment brings in Tapentadol, a synthetic opioid analgesic under Schedule H1 to regulate its sale, distribution and prevent its abuse and Schedule H1 stipulates that the drug can be sold only on prescription.