NEW DELHI, Oct. 9 -- The health ministry has moved to plug a major regulatory loophole in the pharmaceutical supply chain by proposing stringent curbs on advertisements of prescription drugs by retailers, wholesalers and distributors, the government said on Friday.

The government wants to ensure that marketing curbs on potent medicines are no longer restricted to pharmaceutical manufacturers.

It said the draft rules proposing the change have been notified in the official gazette on 28 September. The draft rules have been issued following detailed consultations with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).

"Under the existing regulatory framework, pharmaceutical manufacturers are prohibited from advertising drugs covered under Schedul...