The Union health ministry has brought anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication Pregabalin under Schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules, 1945 requiring stricter control and monitoring due to it’s potential misuse.The regulatory shift follows repeated warnings from state health departments and law enforcement agencies regarding it’s misuse particularly among youth. While medically prescribed for chronic neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and certain seizure disorders, the drug has increasingly been abused for its sedative, euphoric and dissociative side effects.The issue gained national attention after the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Punjab flagged severe health consequences and widespread addiction linked to the drug. The state agency reported multiple seizures of illegally stocked Pregabalin specifically in 150 mg and 300 mg doses from both licensed chemists and unlicensed premises, highlighting a thriving black market for the drug.As reported by ET, the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) had also recommended the Schedule H1 classification late last year to address the crisis, leading to a 30-day public consultation period earlier this year before the final rules were enforced.The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, target certain medications such as third and fourth generation antibiotics, anti-tuberculosis drugs and some psychotropic drugs, requiring stricter control and monitoring due to their potential for misuse.The health ministry has notified the inclusion of the drug under schedule H1 of the Drugs Rules on May 20.By moving Pregabalin to Schedule H1 from Schedule H, the health Ministry is replacing easy over-the-counter access with a tightly monitored supply chain.The revised classification mandates strict prescription enforcement, mandatory record keeping by the pharmacies, packaging warning required to prominently display a red "Rx" symbol and a prescribed "Schedule H1 Drug Warning" label on the product packaging, explicitly stating the dangers of taking the preparation without medical supervision.The government has issued an advisory to all stakeholders including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and pharmacists to ensure immediate compliance.“Violations, including unauthorised retail sales or failure to maintain records, will attract strict penal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940,” said the health ministry.