New Delhi, Sept. 22 -- The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Tuesday issued an advisory to curb the indiscriminate use of painkillers and antibiotics, highlighting their association with the risk of chronic kidney disease.

In a circular, Drugs Controller General of India Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi noted that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics must be sold and distributed only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner or specialist.

The country's apex drug regulator stated that, based on applicability and potential risks, these medicines are placed under Schedules G, H, H1 and X of the Drugs Rules, 1945, requiring medical supervision. Most NSAIDs fall under Schedule H, ...