Marlin Priya

Expert

Published on: Jun 24, 2026

Tamil Nadu Drug License

In India, any business should possess an appropriate license to carry out its activities. Drug license is a legal permit issued by the Government to conduct businesses that deal with drugs and cosmetics. Drug license is region specific and location specific, i.e. each state requires a different license if the business operation occurs in two or more states and must acquire a separate license if sold at more than one place. The drug license includes a license for drug manufacturing and drug sale. In this article, we look at the procedure of obtaining Tamil Nadu Drug License in detail.

Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

The Drugs Control Department regulates the manufacture and sales of drugs and Cosmetics under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940.  As per the act, the license covers all kinds of drug or cosmetic businesses including homoeopathic, allopathic drugs. Any person affected due to the negligence of the manufacturer or seller of the drug is considered an offence under the act.

Sales License for Tamil Nadu Drug License

The drug sale license issued covers both retail as well as the wholesale distribution of drugs in India. The issuance of a license for drug subjects to conditions attached with the competent person who deals with drugs and the premises (area of pharmacy shop and storage facility).

Pre-requisites of Area

The minimum area required for the premises are as follows.

  • Retail – 10 Sq. m
  • Wholesale – 10 Sq. m
  • Retail & Wholesale – 15 Sq. m
  • Storage facilities racks, refrigerator and A/C have to be provided.

Sale License Forms

 S.N Category Sale Type Application Form License Form
1. Drugs other than those specified in Schedule C&C (1)&X Whole Sale 19 20-B
Retail Sale 19 20
Restricted) 19-A 20-A
2. Drugs specified in Schedule C&C (1) but excluding those specified in Schedule ‘X’ Whole Sale 19 21-B
Retail Sale 19 21
Restricted (General Store) 19-A 21-A
3. Drugs specified in Schedule ‘X’ Whole Sale 19-C 20-G
Retail Sale 19-C 20-F
4. Homoeopathic Medicines Whole Sale 19-B 20-D
Retail Sale 19-B 20-C

 Documents Required

  1. Covering letter to the Assistant Director of Drugs Control of the Concerned zone
  2. Form 19
  3. Authorization document signed by the authorized signatory
  4. Declaration form duly signed and filled by the applicant, pharmacist or the competent person.
  5. Details of premises
  • Ownership document of the premises
  • Rental agreement of the premises, if applicable
  • Plan of the premises signed by the licensed surveyors and the applicant.
  1. Pharmacist/ competent person’s details
  • Pharmacy council registration certificate
  • Education qualification certificate
  • Experience certificate of the competent person
  • Declaration of pharmacist/ competent person
  1. Applicant details:
  • Document relating to the constitution of concerned firm/ Company/ LLP and others.
  • If proprietor, a passport size photo , in case Partnership/ LLP- group photo (the file should not exceed 50 KB of size)
  • Applicant ID/ address proof
  • Legal tenancy affidavit
  1. Details of Storage Accommodation:
  2. In case of a change in premises or change in the constitution, enclose the following.
  • Original license
  • Documents related to change in the constitution like sale deed, reconstitution/dissolution deed,
  • Amalgamation court along with board resolution and any other document order if it is a Company.
  • Request to cancel the old license of the premises
  • If the existing license has obtained through online, then the change of premises/ change in the constitution should be applied through e-Sevai centre only.
  • If the license was issued before the launch of the online process then the application should be submitted manually in the concerned zone.
  • Purchase bills of A/C and refrigerator along with Working condition/Installation Certificate
  • Any other document or particulars to verify the correctness of the particulars submitted by the applicant if required.

For Duplicate License

  • Covering letter to the Assistant Director of Drugs Control of Tamil Nadu. The applicant should mention the intent of the application. Court fees stamp of Rs. 2/- .
  • License copy.
  • Any other document to verify the correctness of the particulars submitted by the applicant.

Fees

Category Sale Type Fees for fresh license Fees for Duplicate License
Drugs other than those specified in Schedule C&C (1)&X Whole Sale Rs.1500 Rs. 150
Retail Sale Rs.1500 Rs. 150
Restricted Rs.500 Rs. 150
Drugs specified in Schedule C&C (1) but excluding those specified in Schedule ‘X’ Whole Sale Rs.1500 Rs. 150
Retail Sale Rs.1500 Rs. 150
Restricted Rs.500 Rs. 150
Drugs specified in Schedule ‘X’ Whole Sale Rs.500 Rs. 150
Retail Sale Rs.500 Rs. 150
Homoeopathic Medicines Whole Sale Rs.250 Rs. 50
Retail Sale Rs.250 Rs. 50

 Renewal of License

The application forms and the fees for the renewal of license remain the same as for fresh license.

Approving Authority

The Assistant Director of Drugs Control of the Concerned zone

Processing Time

The time taken for the processing of application extends to 30 days from the date of submission.

Application Procedure for Tamil Nadu Drug License

Step 1: Visit the nearby e-Sevai Centre. Step 2: Provide the requested details in the application form or the computer operator will fill the application on behalf of the applicant on the online system. For Forms for respective sales or manufacturing license, click here. Step 3: The operator at the e-Sevai centre will download the duly filled Form 19 ,and the applicant should sign and upload the same. Step 4: On uploading the documents an application number will be generated. Step 5: The applicant/ firm should pay the requisite fee. The confirmation will be intimated through SMS. Step 6: The applicant should send the hard copy of documents to the concerned Approving Authority through speed post or courier by quoting the application reference number Step 7: The ADDC will scrutinise the application within three working days If the application is complete, it will be forwarded to the Drugs Inspector for the inspection report. In other cases, the the approving authority will request required particulars or documents from the applicant through the online system within 7 working days after which the application will be forwarded for the inspection report to the approving authority.  Step 8:  The Drugs Inspector will upload his recommendation or remarks on the online portal after inspecting the premises. Step 9: The applicant can download the license from e-Seva Centre after the receipt of the SMS alert.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tamil Nadu Drug License Application Procedure and Requirements.

A Tamil Nadu Drug License is a legal permit issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu to individuals or businesses that deal with drugs and cosmetics within the state. It is mandatory for any entity manufacturing, selling, or distributing drugs in Tamil Nadu to obtain the appropriate license.
The primary types of drug licenses in Tamil Nadu are licenses for drug manufacturing and drug sales. The drug sales license further covers retail and wholesale distribution of drugs, including allopathic, homoeopathic, and drugs listed in different schedules of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The key prerequisites include meeting the minimum area requirements for the premises (ranging from 10 sq.m. to 15 sq.m.), providing adequate storage facilities, and having a qualified pharmacist or competent person to deal with drugs.
The essential documents include a covering letter, application form (Form 19), authorization and declaration forms, premises ownership/rental documents, premises plan, pharmacist/competent person's details and qualifications, applicant's identity and address proof, and other documents related to the business constitution.
The processing time for a Tamil Nadu Drug License application typically extends to 30 days from the date of submission, provided all the required documents are in order.
The primary steps include visiting an e-Sevai Centre, filling the online application form, uploading the required documents, paying the applicable fees, sending the hard copies to the approving authority, inspection of the premises by a Drugs Inspector, and finally, downloading the license after approval.
The fees vary based on the type of license and category of drugs. For example, the fees for a fresh retail sale license for non-scheduled drugs is Rs. 1500, while for homoeopathic medicines, it is Rs. 250.
Drug licenses in Tamil Nadu need to be renewed periodically, and the application process and fees for renewal are the same as for a fresh license.
The Assistant Director of Drugs Control (ADDC) of the concerned zone is the approving authority for Tamil Nadu Drug Licenses.
Operating a drug or cosmetic business without a valid license from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department is considered an offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and can lead to legal consequences.