# Drug regulator warns against overuse of painkillers and antibiotics 2026-09-22T15:07:05+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets India's drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), has issued an advisory cautioning against the indiscriminate, repeated or prolonged use of painkillers (NSAIDs) and antibiotics. The advisory highlights the risk of avoidable renal complications and chronic kidney disease from inappropriate use. The regulator said these medicines should only be used when clinically indicated, at the appropriate dose and duration, and under medical supervision. The CDSCO advised the public not to use NSAIDs or antibiotics without medical advice, not to self-medicate with antibiotics, and not to share leftover medicines. Healthcare professionals have been asked to prescribe these drugs only when clinically needed, to consider the lowest effective dose of NSAIDs, and to follow antimicrobial stewardship principles for antibiotics. Pharmacists and retailers have been directed to comply with prescription requirements for Schedule H and H1 drugs. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The advisory is a regulatory reminder of existing rules rather than a new policy. All three outlets reported the CDSCO circular in a neutral, factual tone, with no political or ideological slant. The coverage uniformly stressed the health risk of chronic kidney disease from overuse, the need for medical supervision, and compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The key detail is the regulator's directive to state drug authorities to create public awareness and ensure enforcement, which will be measured by compliance audits in the coming months. ## Coverage - economictimes.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Straight wire-style report with market data on antibiotic sales growth. - deccanherald.com (neutral report) Brief factual summary of the warning, focused on kidney injury mechanism. - greaterkashmir.com (neutral report) Detailed neutral reproduction of the circular with regulatory context. Tags: antibiotics, CDSCO, drugs and cosmetics act, kidney disease, NSAIDs Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/drug-regulator-warns-against-overuse-of-painkillers-and-antibiotics/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/drug-regulator-warns-against-overuse-of-painkillers-and-antibiotics/#story-in-brief