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Sat, Jan 31 2026
Raju Karn
If you are planning to open a medical store or pharmacy, one of the first things you need to figure out is how to apply for a medical store license. Most people get stuck here because the process is not clearly explained anywhere. There are drug laws to follow, government approvals to take, and terms like CDSCO, drug license verification, and renewal timelines that can feel confusing at first.
The good news is that applying for a medical store license is not as complicated as it sounds—once you understand the steps. With the right documents, a qualified pharmacist, and proper setup, the license can be obtained smoothly. This guide explains the complete process in a simple and practical way, so you know exactly what is required and what to expect at each stage.
A medical store license is officially known as a drug license. It is issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and allows you to legally sell medicines, drugs, and pharmaceutical products.
Without a valid drug license, selling medicines is illegal in India—even if the medicines are genuine. This license ensures that medicines are stored, handled, and sold safely to protect public health.
In simple terms:
Drug licenses are issued by the State Drug Control Department, while overall regulation and policy guidance come from CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization).
You may often hear terms like CDSCO login or CDSCO portal, but for a retail medical store, the actual license is granted at the state level through the Drugs Control Office.
Before applying, it is important to know which type of drug license you need.
This is required if you want to sell medicines directly to customers from a shop or pharmacy.
This is required if you plan to supply medicines to other pharmacies, hospitals, or distributors.
Some businesses apply for both retail and wholesale licenses, depending on their business model.
To apply for a drug license, certain basic conditions must be fulfilled.
➔ Minimum area of 10 sq. meters for retail OR wholesale
➔ 15 sq. meters if both retail and wholesale are applied together
➔ Proper storage with refrigerator for medicines
➔ A registered pharmacist is mandatory for retail medical stores
➔ For wholesale, a competent person with relevant experience is required
➔ These requirements are checked during inspection.
Having a valid medical store (drug) license is not just a legal formality. It gives long-term benefits to your pharmacy business:
– Legal permission to sell medicinesA drug license allows you to sell all approved medicines without risk of penalties or closure.
– Trust among customers and doctorsCustomers feel safer buying medicines from a licensed pharmacy, especially prescription drugs.
– Eligibility to stock branded and scheduled drugsMany pharmaceutical companies supply medicines only to licensed medical stores.
– Smooth drug license verification and inspectionsA valid license helps you pass inspections easily and avoid legal notices from authorities.
– Business expansion and online salesA drug license is mandatory if you plan to expand, open another branch, or sell through online platforms.
– Easy drug license renewalOnce registered correctly, renewal becomes simple and stress-free.
This is the section most people look for. Below is a realistic and practical explanation of how the process works.
Before applying, keep all documents ready. Missing documents are the most common reason for application delay.
The application for a medical store license is submitted online through the State Drug Control portal. In some cases, details may also be linked with CDSCO systems for verification.
At this stage, you will:
After submission, a Drug Inspector visits the shop premises. They check:
This inspection ensures medicines will be stored and sold safely.
If everything is found correct, the drug license is issued. Once issued, you can legally start selling medicines from your store.
Some commonly required documents include:
→ Identity proof of applicant
→ Address proof of premises
→ Rent agreement or ownership proof
→ Pharmacist registration certificate
→ Appointment letter of pharmacist
→ Refrigerator purchase bill
→ Shop layout plan
→ Affidavit as per drug rules
Keeping documents clear and correct helps in faster approval.
After receiving the license, drug license verification becomes important.
Customers, suppliers, and authorities can verify your license details online to ensure:
‣ The license is genuine
‣ It is active and valid
‣ It belongs to the correct premises
Regular verification helps avoid misuse or compliance issues.
A drug license is not permanent. Drug license renewal must be done before expiry to continue business legally.
If renewal is delayed:
‣ Penalties may apply
‣ Business operations may be stopped
It is always safer to apply for renewal well before the expiry date.
Many applicants face delays because of simple mistakes such as:
⚠ Applying without a registered pharmacist
⚠ Incorrect premises size
⚠ Incomplete documents
⚠ Not preparing for inspection
⚠ Missing renewal timelines
Avoiding these mistakes saves time and money.
Applying for a medical store license can be confusing when you are dealing with documentation, pharmacist requirements, inspections, and online portals. Even a small mistake can delay approval.
PSR Compliance helps you through the complete process—from understanding eligibility and preparing documents to application filing, follow-ups, and guidance on drug license verification and renewal. Our focus is to make the process clear, compliant, and stress-free for you.
📞 Call PSR Compliance at 7065883416 to get practical guidance for your medical store license.
Any individual, company, partnership firm, or LLP can apply for a drug license. However, the applicant must employ a registered pharmacist or a competent person to supervise drug sales.
A pharmacist must hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm) and be registered with the State Pharmacy Council.
A retail medical store must have a minimum carpet area of 10–15 square meters, as prescribed by drug control authorities.
Yes, both AC and a refrigerator are mandatory to maintain proper storage conditions for medicines, especially temperature-sensitive drugs such as vaccines and insulin.
The following forms are commonly required:
Yes, drug licenses are location-specific. A separate license is required for each premises, even if owned by the same person or entity.
Generally, a commercial premises is required. However, in some areas, mixed land-use premises may be permitted, subject to local municipal and zoning regulations.
The drug license approval process typically takes 30–45 days, depending on inspection schedules and processing timelines of the state drug authority.
No, separate and specialized licenses are required to sell Ayurvedic or Homeopathic medicines. A standard drug license does not cover these categories.
Operating a medical store without a valid license is illegal under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and may result in heavy fines, prosecution, and imprisonment.
Yes, a GST registration certificate is generally required as part of the drug license application process.
Yes, a drug license is valid for five years and can be renewed before its expiration by submitting a renewal application.
Since drug licenses are site-specific, a fresh application must be filed and the existing license must be surrendered if the shop location is changed.