Retail or Wholesale Drug business in West Bengal
If you are planning to start or continue a retail or wholesale drug business in West Bengal, obtaining a Drug License becomes a mandatory requirement under the applicable law. The application is required to be made online through the Drug License portal of the Department of Health & Family Welfare. Here’s everything you will need to know.
The Retail and Wholesale Drug License is issued by the Directorate of Drugs Control under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal. The Directorate functions as the regulatory authority for implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the rules made thereunder, along with the Drug Price Control Order, 2013, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954.
The application is required to be filed through the “Drug License” section of the official website or through the West Bengal Drug License portal. Once submitted, the application is examined by the competent authority, being the Assistant Director of Drug Control of the respective district. As per the prescribed procedure, the application is processed within a period of 90 days from the date on which a complete application is received.
What is Retail and Wholesale Drug License?
A Retail or Wholesale Drug License is a regulatory approval required for carrying on the business of sale of drugs, whether through retail or wholesale mode, in West Bengal.
The licensing process is administered by the Directorate of Drugs Control under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal. The role of the Directorate is to ensure implementation of the applicable drug laws and to maintain standards so that medicines made available to the public are safe and of assured quality.
The application for the license is required to be filed online through the designated portal. The applicant is required to upload the prescribed documents in PDF format in accordance with the proforma provided within the application system.
Which authority issues Retail and Wholesale Drug License in West-Bengal?
Basic details relating to application for Retail and Wholesale Drug License in West-Bengal are as follows:
| Particulars |
Details |
| Department |
Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal |
| Directorate |
Directorate of Drugs Control |
| Competent Authority |
Assistant Director of Drug Control of the respective district |
| Application Mode |
Online through Drug License portal |
| Processing Time |
90 days after receipt of complete application |
| Fees |
As per applicable Act and Rules |
| Payment |
To be made through GRIPS before application |
Basic Application Details

Procedure for New Retail or Wholesale Drug License

Role of the Drugs Control Directorate
The Drugs Control Directorate works as a public health measure through enforcement of the applicable drug laws.
The Directorate is entrusted with grant or retention of manufacturing and selling licences relating to allopathic drugs, homoeopathic medicines, cosmetics manufacturing licences, Blood Bank, surgical and medical device units.
It also carries out inspection of manufacturing process of sera or vaccines units, monitors and issues GMP and GLP certificates, including MSC, NVC, COPP and Free Sales Certificate, and approves quality control laboratory of medicines and cosmetics.
Outcome of the Application
After submission, the application is processed by the department.
The form and submitted documents are verified. Inspection is conducted by the Senior Inspector or Inspector of Drug Control. The inspection report is submitted to the Assistant Director of Drug Control.
After completion of the departmental process, the competent authority communicates the decision to the applicant. If approved, the applicant can download or take print out of the license or approval.
Applicable Laws and Regulations
The following laws and regulations are applicable:
| Sl. No. |
Regulation |
| 1 |
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and rules formed thereunder |
| 2 |
Drug Price Control Order, 2013 |
| 3 |
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 |
| 4 |
Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisement) Act, 1954 |
DOCUMENT YOU WILL GET AFTER REGISTRATION IN WEST BENGAL