India OTC Nicotine Therapy Access
Analysis based on 9 articles · First reported May 07, 2026 · Last updated May 08, 2026
The recommendation to keep nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) over-the-counter in India could positively impact pharmaceutical companies producing these products by ensuring continued market access. Conversely, it could indirectly affect tobacco companies if it leads to a significant reduction in tobacco consumption in India, as highlighted by the India — Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister's report.
Public health experts in India are urging the India — Drugs Technical Advisory Board to maintain over-the-counter access for 2 mg and 4 mg nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). This recommendation, made at the Respire-2026 event organized by the Asian Coalition for Health Empowerment, aims to strengthen tobacco cessation pathways in India, where quit success rates are currently below 5%. The discussion is informed by a report from the India — Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, which emphasizes the economic burden of tobacco use and the benefits of reducing consumption. Experts, including Dr. Karl Fagerstrom, noted that the World Health Organization lists these NRT doses as essential medicines, and many OECD countries already offer them over-the-counter. The goal is to ensure these cessation tools are readily available to help India's 267 million tobacco users.
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