--- title: "Drug License Registration — Retail & Wholesale Pharmacy" url: https://www.anukram.in/drug-license.html description: "Drug licence for retail and wholesale pharmacies: documents required, premises and pharmacist rules, Form 20/21 and 20B/21B, and our ₹3,999 fee. Government fee extra." updated: 2026-10-04 source: Anukram, Hyderabad (anukram.in) license: Free to read, quote and cite with a link to anukram.in. General information, not professional advice. --- Drug License # Drug License Registration — Retail & Wholesale Pharmacy Retail and wholesale drug license for pharmacies and medical stores under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. Covers Form 20/21 for retail and Form 20B/21B for wholesale. Anukram price ₹3,999 Others charge ₹6,999 You save ₹3,000 [WhatsApp us →](https://wa.me/919631526999?text=Hi+Anurag,+I+need+Drug+License+registration.) ## Why Drug License? A drug license is not optional — it is a strict legal requirement to stock, sell, or distribute any scheduled drug in India. 01 ### Legal Requirement to Operate No pharmacy or medical store can legally stock or sell Schedule H, H1, or X drugs without a valid drug license. Operating without one is a criminal offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940. 02 ### Required for Pharma Company Tie-Ups Pharmaceutical companies, distributors, and C&F agents will only supply scheduled drugs to licensed retailers and wholesalers. A drug license is the entry ticket to the pharma supply chain. 03 ### Mandatory for Business Finance Banks and NBFCs require a valid drug license before sanctioning loans for pharmacy businesses. Government schemes like PMEGP for healthcare also mandate it. 04 ### Wholesale License Enables B2B Supply A wholesale drug license (Form 20B/21B) allows you to stock and sell drugs to retailers, hospitals, dispensaries, and nursing homes — expanding your business significantly. ## Legal Framework Drug licenses are governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, administered by the State Drug Controller appointed by each state government. **Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940:** The primary legislation governing manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs in India. All retail and wholesale dealers of scheduled drugs must be licensed under this Act and its rules. **Retail Drug License — Form 20 & Form 21:** Form 20 covers allopathic drugs (excluding Schedule X); Form 21 covers Schedule X drugs (controlled substances). A registered pharmacist must be present on the premises at all times during business hours. **Wholesale Drug License — Form 20B & Form 21B:** Form 20B covers wholesale of allopathic drugs; Form 21B covers Schedule X drugs for wholesale. Wholesale licensees can supply to retailers, hospitals, dispensaries, and nursing homes but cannot sell directly to patients. **Schedule K (Drugs and Cosmetics Rules):** Specifies storage requirements including minimum area, cold storage, and separate storage for narcotic drugs. Non-compliance during inspection leads to license refusal or cancellation. ## Registration Process We coordinate with the registered pharmacist, prepare all documentation, and handle the State Drug Controller application from start to finish. 1 ### Appointment of Registered Pharmacist A registered pharmacist (with valid Pharmacy Council registration) must be appointed and their appointment letter and affidavit prepared. This is a mandatory prerequisite for any drug license. 2 ### Prepare Premises to Schedule N Standards Ensure the premises meets Schedule N requirements: minimum 10 sqm area for retail, adequate shelving, refrigeration (if stocking biological products), and separate storage for Schedule X drugs if applicable. 3 ### File Application with State Drug Controller Complete application filed with the State Drug Controller (SDC) along with all documents, prescribed government fee, and a list of scheduled drugs to be stocked. 4 ### Premises Inspection by Drug Inspector A Drug Inspector appointed by the SDC visits the premises to verify storage conditions, pharmacist presence, and compliance with Schedule N and K requirements. 5 ### Drug License Issued After satisfactory inspection, the State Drug Controller issues the drug license in Form 20 and/or Form 21 (retail) or Form 20B and/or Form 21B (wholesale). License is typically valid for 5 years and must be renewed before expiry. ## Documents Required Documents must be in the name of the business and must match the registered pharmacist's details precisely. - Premises ownership proof or rent agreement - Building layout plan showing dimensions and storage area - Registered pharmacist's Pharmacy Council certificate - Pharmacist's affidavit of exclusive employment - Ownership / partnership / incorporation proof of business - Affidavit of premises exclusivity for pharmacy use - List of scheduled drugs to be stocked - Photo identity proof of applicant (Aadhaar / PAN) - Passport-size photographs (applicant and pharmacist) - Cold storage / refrigeration proof (if stocking biological products) ## Timeline Total time: 4–12 weeks, depending on state drug authority processing speed, inspection scheduling, and premises readiness. Day 1 Application Filed Week 1–2 Document Verification Week 2–4 Premises Inspection Month 1–3 License Issued ## Benefits & Risks ### Benefits of Getting Licensed - Legal authority to stock and sell Schedule H, H1, and X drugs - Enables tie-ups with pharmaceutical companies and distributors - Required for bank loans and government schemes for pharmacy businesses - Wholesale license allows B2B supply to hospitals, clinics, and retailers - Builds credibility with customers — regulated pharmacy signal ### Risks of Operating Without License - Imprisonment up to 3 years and/or fine under Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 - All drugs on premises subject to confiscation by Drug Inspector - State Drug Controller can seal and close the premises - Registered pharmacist's Pharmacy Council registration can be cancelled - Criminal proceedings can be initiated against the proprietor and pharmacist ## Related Services [FSSAI Basic Registration₹1,299](https://www.anukram.in/fssai-license.html) [GST Registration ₹1,299](https://www.anukram.in/gst-registration.html) [Shop Act Registration ₹1,499](https://www.anukram.in/shop-act-registration.html) ## Ready to get your Drug License? WhatsApp Anurag with your pharmacy details. We handle the entire State Drug Controller process. [WhatsApp us → ₹3,999 onwards](https://wa.me/919631526999?text=Hi+Anurag,+I+need+Drug+License+registration.) ## Drug licence: common questions ### What documents are required for a drug licence? Usually: the registered pharmacist's certificate and registration (for retail), a competent person's qualification proof (for wholesale), proof of the premises (ownership or rent agreement with NOC), a premises layout, ID and address proof, the constitution proof of the firm or company, and affidavits. The State Drug Controller can ask for more, so we confirm the list for your state. ### What is the difference between retail and wholesale drug licence? A retail licence (Form 20 and 21) is for selling medicines to patients over the counter. A wholesale licence (Form 20B and 21B) is for selling to retailers, hospitals and other licence holders. Many businesses need both. ### Do I need a pharmacist? For a retail pharmacy, yes: a registered pharmacist must be in charge. A wholesale licence needs a competent person with the qualification and experience set by the rules. We tell you which applies to you. ### How much space and what storage does the shop need? The rules set a minimum floor area and need storage such as a refrigerator for items that must be kept cold. The exact requirement depends on the licence type, so check before you rent or fit out the premises. Send us the layout and we tell you if it fits. ### How much does it cost? Our fee is ₹3,999. The government fee, which depends on the licence type and state, is extra and paid at actuals. We confirm the amount before filing. ### What happens if I sell medicines without a licence? It is an offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment and fine, and stock can be seized. Related: [Shops Act in Hyderabad](https://www.anukram.in/shop-act-registration-hyderabad.html) · [why a drug licence is needed](https://www.anukram.in/blog/business-licences-registrations-india-why-when-penalty.html#drug-license) · [GST registration](https://www.anukram.in/gst-registration.html) > Anukram professional fee: INR 3,999. Government fees, stamp duty and taxes are extra where applicable. Contact: WhatsApp +91 96315 26999. --- Page: https://www.anukram.in/drug-license.html Contact: WhatsApp +91 96315 26999 | hello@anukram.in | Hyderabad, Telangana, India