Ever imagined! What does the RED LINE on medicine strip indicate? Health Ministry clarifies

Did you ever notice a RED LINE on the back of the medicine strip? The mark is not just for the sake of it; the detail carries a big message. Ministry of Health taking it to its social media handle clarified the same. 

The red line on some medicine packaging is not just a design element; it's a safety warning. It indicates that the medication is a prescription drug, meaning it should not be consumed without a doctor's supervision.

Many people have a habit of taking medicines without a doctor’s prescription, but STOP doing that someone tends to.

You can prevent antibiotic resistance!

A RED LINE on the strip of medicines implies that the medicine should not be consumed without a doctor's prescription.#SwasthaBharat #AntibioticResistance pic.twitter.com/zo7SooaiN9

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) March 10, 2024

Apart from this, there are a couple of important reasons for this:

Safe and effective use

Prescription medications can be powerful and have side effects. A doctor can assess your health condition and determine the appropriate dosage and duration of treatment to ensure the medication works safely and effectively for you.

Combating antibiotic resistance

Many medications with red lines are antibiotics. Taking antibiotics without a prescription or not completing the full course can contribute to antibiotic resistance, a growing public health concern.

Remember

• Double-check, if you have the right medicine.
• Always check the expiry date of the medicine before consuming it.
• Take as prescribed.