Drug Licence — Retail & Wholesale
Pharmacy and medicine distribution licences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules
- 1ReadyPremises, storage and staff in place.
- 2ApplyApplication and fees submitted.
- 3InspectDrug inspector visit and licence grant.
Share your details. We’ll reply on WhatsApp with the next steps and a checklist.
Pick a plan — the fee is adjusted if you hire us within 30 days.
About Drug Licence — Retail & Wholesale
A clear overview, in simple terms — what it is, why it matters, and how we handle it.
Selling or distributing medicines needs a drug licence from the State Drugs Control authority under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Retail pharmacies get licences in Forms 20 and 21 and wholesalers in Forms 20B and 21B. A retail outlet needs a registered pharmacist, a wholesaler needs a 'competent person' with the prescribed qualification and experience, and the premises must meet minimum area and storage requirements, including refrigeration where needed.
The premises are inspected before the licence is granted, so the work starts with the layout: minimum carpet area (10 square metres for retail or wholesale, 15 for both together), separate storage, refrigeration for cold-chain products, and clear display of the licence and pharmacist's details.
Licences no longer need periodic renewal; instead a retention fee is paid every five years. We prepare the application, the pharmacist or competent person's documents, and help you through the inspection and later compliance such as Schedule H1 records.
| Law | Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940; Rules 1945 |
|---|---|
| Retail | Forms 20 and 21 (registered pharmacist) |
| Wholesale | Forms 20B and 21B (competent person) |
| Minimum area | 10 sq m (retail or wholesale); 15 sq m for both |
| Validity | Perpetual, with retention fee every 5 years |
Who this is for
Common scenarios where this service is a good fit.
- New pharmacies and chemist shops
- Pharma distributors and stockists
- Hospitals and clinics running in-house pharmacies
What you get
Clear deliverables so you know exactly what's included.
- Premises and staffing readiness check
- Application to the State Drugs Controller
- Inspection support
- Post-licence record-keeping guidance
Expert review before every submission — not just data entry.
Working notes and reconciliations you can rely on in future notices.
Resident Indians, NRIs, expats and cross-border businesses — all served.
Documents required
A practical checklist. We'll tell you if anything else is needed based on your case.
* This is a base checklist. After a quick pre-check, we may ask for additional items specific to your case.
Process
A simple, trackable workflow — designed to avoid back-and-forth.
Premises, storage and staff in place.
Application and fees submitted.
Drug inspector visit and licence grant.
Get a quote
We share a clear quote on WhatsApp after a quick checklist pre-check.
- Fixed quote on WhatsApp after a short look at your facts and documents.
- Government fees, if any, are paid at actuals and shown separately.
| Factor | DIY | Indus Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Expert review | ❌ | ✅ |
| Notice risk reduction | ❌ | ✅ |
| Deduction optimisation | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audit-ready records | ❌ | ✅ |
| AIS/26AS reconciliation | ❌ | ✅ |
Share your facts and deadline. We'll reply with the right checklist and a clear quote.
Fee adjusted against our service fee if you go ahead within 30 days.
- Priority CA Call-backSkip the queue — a CA calls you within 30 minutes.₹255
- RecommendedCA Consultation (30 min)Talk one matter through properly with a CA.₹755
- In-depth CA Review (60 min)Documents reviewed before the call, written action plan after.₹1,155
Call-backs run Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST. Booked outside these hours? We call you first thing the next working morning.
Compare the 3 plansFrequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions we get.
Official sources
Indus Tax is a private professional services firm and is not affiliated with any government authority. Rules and fees change — we confirm current positions before filing.
