New Delhi, July 10 -- The Centre has tightened the sale of liquid medicines containing high levels of alcohol, moving them into the restricted category to curb misuse, according to a health ministry statement.

Oral liquid medicines containing more than 12% ethyl alcohol and sold in bottles larger than 30 ml have been moved to the restricted Schedule H1 category. The products include cough syrups, and aromatic preparations such as tinctures of cardamom and ginger, tonics and other medicinal mixtures that were previously exempt from stricter sales controls under Schedule K.

With their inclusion under Schedule H1, these medicines can now be sold only against the prescription of a registered medical practitioner and supplied only through re...