Health Ministry Increases Regulations for Alcohol-Based Medicines
衛生部加強對酒精藥物的監管
Introduction
The Indian government has changed the Drugs Rules of 1945 to remove licensing exceptions for certain medicinal products with high alcohol content.
印度政府修改了 1945 年的藥物條例，取消了某些高酒精含量藥品的許可豁免。
Main Body
This regulatory change removes previous exceptions for products containing ethyl alcohol, such as ginger and cardamom tinctures. In the past, some of these products had alcohol levels between 80% and 90% and did not require a standard license. However, some manufacturers in small towns and rural areas used this loophole to produce large amounts of high-alcohol tinctures, which led to complaints from several state governments.
這次監管變動取消了先前對含有乙醇產品（例如薑酊和小荳蔻酊）的豁免。過去，部分此類產品的酒精含量在 80% 到 90% 之間，不需要標準許可證。然而，一些小鎮和農村地區的製造商利用此漏洞大量生產高酒精含量的酊劑，導致多個州政府收到投訴。
To reduce the risk of alcohol abuse and misuse, the Ministry has decided that any product with more than 12% ethyl alcohol in volumes over 30 mL must now obtain a license under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940. These rules are different from AYUSH medicines, which have their own alcohol limits. Furthermore, after consulting with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, these products are now listed under Schedule H1. Consequently, patients must provide a prescription from a registered doctor to buy them, and pharmacies must keep sales records for at least three years.
為了降低酒精濫用與誤用的風險，衛生部決定任何體積超過 30 mL 且乙醇含量超過 12% 的產品，現在必須根據 1940 年的《藥品與化妝品法》取得許可證。這些規則與 AYUSH 藥物不同，後者有其本身的酒精限制。此外，在諮詢藥品技術顧問委員會後，這些產品現在被列入 H1 表格。因此，患者購買此類產品必須提供註冊醫生的處方箋，且藥局必須將銷售記錄保存至少三年。
Conclusion
This amendment changes high-alcohol tinctures from exempt products to a strictly controlled system that requires a prescription.
此次修訂將高酒精含量的酊劑從豁免產品轉為需要處方箋的嚴格監管制度。
Vocabulary Learning
🧩 The 'Cause and Effect' Chain
At the A2 level, students usually connect ideas with simple words like because or so. To reach B2, you need to use 'Logical Connectors' that make your writing sound professional and academic.
Look at how this text moves from a problem to a solution:
- The Problem: Manufacturers used a loophole led to complaints.
- The Action: The Ministry decided must now obtain a license.
- The Result: Products are listed under Schedule H1 Consequently, patients must provide a prescription.
🚀 Level-Up Your Vocabulary
Stop using "so" for everything. Try these B2 Transitions found in the text:
- Consequently (Use this instead of so). It shows a direct, formal result.
- Example: It rained heavily; consequently, the match was cancelled.
- Furthermore (Use this instead of and or also). Use it to add a new, important piece of information.
- Example: The hotel is cheap; furthermore, it is near the beach.
⚖️ Precision Shift: 'Exempt' vs. 'Controlled'
B2 fluency is about using the exact word. The text contrasts two states of legality:
| A2 Word (Simple) | B2 Word (Precise) | Meaning in Context |
|---|---|---|
| Free / No rules | Exempt | Not required to follow a specific rule. |
| Limited / Checked | Controlled | Strictly managed by the government. |
Pro Tip: Notice the phrase "remove licensing exceptions." Instead of saying "they took away the free part," the writer uses a formal noun phrase. This is the hallmark of B2 English.