Health

Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining a Medical Store License in India

Story details

Written by
Rinku
Published
Read time
3 min
Reads
1
Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining a Medical Store License in India
Share this story WhatsApp Facebook X



Opening a chemist shop, retail pharmacy, or wholesale medical business in India requires securing a statutory medical store licence (https://druglicense.in/medical-licence-in-india) under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Issued by the respective State Drug Control Authorities, this licence legalises the procurement, stocking, and sale of pharmaceutical formulations across India.


Key Eligibility & Space Criteria


Before submitting your medical licence application, ensure your retail or wholesale shop meets the statutory infrastructure and personnel requirements:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ STATUTORY SHOP ELIGIBILITY │ ├───────────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────┤ │ RETAIL MEDICAL STORE │ WHOLESALE PHARMACY │ ├───────────────────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────────────┤ │ • Min. Area: 10 sq. metres │ • Min. Area: 15 sq. metres │ │ (approx. 108 sq. feet) │ (approx. 161 sq. feet) │ │ • Mandatory Registered Pharmacist │ • Registered Pharmacist OR │ │ (D.Pharm / B.Pharm) present │ Graduate with 1 yr experience │ │ • Working Refrigerator & AC │ • Cold Storage Setup & AC │ └───────────────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────┘

Documents Required for Medical Store License


Ensure clean PDF/JPEG scans of all necessary documents are prepared before initiating the online application:

1. Identity & Qualification Credentials


  • Pharmacist Credentials: State Pharmacy Council Registration Certificate, Diploma/Degree Certificate, and official Appointment Letter.

  • Applicant Credentials: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID/Passport, and passport-size photographs of the proprietor, partners, or directors.

  • Affidavits: Non-conviction affidavit stamped and executed on non-judicial stamp paper.


2. Shop Location & Commercial Proofs


  • Premises Ownership Proof: Registered lease agreement, rent agreement, or property ownership title deed.

  • Approved Layout Plan: Blueprint drawing showing shop floor dimensions, storage racks, display counters, and refrigeration unit placement.

  • Cold Storage Proof: Purchase invoice for the refrigerator and air conditioning system.

  • Business Incorporation Proof: Partnership Deed, Certificate of Incorporation (Pvt Ltd/LLP), or Proprietorship GST registration.


Fee Structure & License Validity


State Drug Control departments set the government fee for drug license applications and renewals:

Service / License TypeApprox. Government FeeValidity Period
Retail Drug License (Form 20 & 21)₹3,000 – ₹5,0005 Years
Wholesale Drug License (Form 20B & 21B)₹3,000 – ₹6,0005 Years
Combined Retail & Wholesale License₹6,000 – ₹10,0005 Years
Medical License Renewal Fees₹1,500 – ₹3,000Extended 5 Years

Step-by-Step Medical Store License Process


1.Appoint a Qualified Registered Pharmacist:Active registration with State Pharmacy Council.


Hire a registered pharmacist holding an active D.Pharm, B.Pharm, or Pharm.D registration certificate.


2.Finalize Shop Area & Infrastructure:10 sq. m for Retail / 15 sq. m for Wholesale.


Set up commercial premises with lockable storage racks, display counters, air conditioning, and a working refrigerator.


3.Submit Application on State Online Portal:Form 19 (Retail) / Form 19C (Wholesale).


Log into your State Drug Control Authority portal (e.g., Online Drug Licensing System). Fill out the application form and upload scanned documents.


4.Pay Medical License Fees:Pay via Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit Card.


Process the required government fee online and preserve the transaction acknowledgment receipt.


5.On-Site Premises Inspection:Conducted by local Drug Inspector (DI).


A Drug Inspector visits your shop to inspect space measurements, refrigeration functionality, storage safety, and original pharmacist documents.


6.Download Approved Medical License:Valid for 5 years.


Upon successful inspection approval, your medical store license certificate is generated online for download. Display it prominently inside the shop.


Medical License Renewal Online Procedure


A medical store license is valid for 5 years. Retaining the license requires submitting an online renewal/retention application prior to expiry:


  2. Log in to State Drug Portal: Access your registered user account on the state online drug portal.

  3. Select License Renewal: Choose medical licence renewal online and input your license registration number.

  4. Upload Active Proofs: Attach active State Pharmacy Council renewal receipts for the pharmacist, updated rent agreement, and GST filings.

  5. Pay Renewal Fees: Complete the online renewal fee payment.

  6. Download Certificate: After verification, download the updated 5-year retention certificate.

Powered by Froala Editor

Rinku

About the author

Rinku

I’m Rinku Walter, a writer who loves turning thoughts and everyday experiences into meaningful stories. I enjoy exploring emotions, ideas, and the little details of life that often go unnoticed. Writing, for me, is a way to connect with pe…

Last updated . If you spot an error, contact our newsroom with the article link and supporting information.

Keep reading

Related stories