Trademark Class 5: Pharmaceuticals
Class 5 covers medicines, medical and veterinary preparations, dietary supplements, baby food, plasters and dressings, disinfectants, and pest-control products. Pharma, supplement and agro-chemical brands file here.
What class 5 covers
Class 5 of the Nice Classification covers: “Pharmaceuticals, medical and veterinary preparations; sanitary preparations for medical purposes; dietetic food and substances adapted for medical or veterinary purposes, food for babies; dietary supplements for human beings and animals; adhesive plasters, materials for dressings; material for filling teeth, dental wax; disinfectants; preparations for destroying vermin; fungicides, herbicides.”” This is the official heading in the current edition, NCL 13-2026, in force since 1 January 2026.
WIPO’s explanatory note says class 5 mainly covers pharmaceuticals and other preparations for medical or veterinary purposes. It also includes diapers, medicated shampoos, soaps and toothpaste, dietary supplements, and dietetic food for medical or veterinary use.
Section 7 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 has the Registrar classify goods in line with this international system. In practice, medicine brands also need a drug licence to sell. A registered mark does not replace it.
Common goods in class 5
Medicines and health products
- Pharmaceutical and ayurvedic preparations
- Veterinary preparations
- Medicated soaps, shampoos and lotions
Nutrition
- Dietary supplements for people and animals
- Food for babies
- Dietetic food for medical use
Hygiene and pest control
- Disinfectants
- Diapers and sanitary preparations
- Insecticides and insect repellents
What is not in class 5
These goods sit just outside class 5:
| Goods | Correct class |
|---|---|
| Vitamins, preservatives and antioxidants as manufacturing ingredients | Class 1 |
| Non-medicated toiletries and deodorants for people | Class 3 |
| Orthopaedic and support bandages | Class 10 |
| Dietetic food not for medical use, such as high-protein bars or isotonic drinks | Class 29, 30 or 32 |
Who usually files in class 5
Pharma and ayurvedic companies
Manufacturers and marketing companies selling medicines under their own brand.
Nutraceutical and baby-care brands
Supplement, protein and baby-food brands, and makers of diapers and hygiene products.
Agro-chemical and pest-control firms
Sellers of insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, disinfectants and household pest-control products.
Tips before filing
Search the register in class 5
Run a search on the IP India register in class 5 and nearby classes. The free search at tmrsearch.ipindia.gov.in takes one class at a time.
Check for look-alike drug names
Medicine names are easily confused, and that confusion can harm patients. Search sound-alike names closely and avoid names that copy a generic drug name. Say a Faridabad marketing company plans a cough syrup made by a third-party manufacturer: the sound-alike check comes before the carton design.
Write a specification you will actually use
List the goods you sell or plan to sell, in the Registry’s wording. Goods you never sell can be removed for non-use under Section 47 after five years on the register.
File Form TM-A and watch the examination
File online in Form TM-A. If the examiner raises an issue, a clear reply to the examination report keeps the application moving.
Frequently asked questions
Is a protein powder or supplement in class 5?
A dietary supplement is class 5, because WIPO places supplements for people and animals there. But dietetic food not meant for medical use, such as high-protein bars or isotonic drinks, goes to classes 29, 30 or 32. So the class follows how the product is described and sold. A fitness brand selling both capsules and snack bars should file in class 5 and class 30. We check your labels and pick the classes with you.
Do I need classes other than class 5?
You need another class only if the brand covers goods outside class 5. A single application can cover several classes under Section 18(2) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999, with the fee paid per class. A supplement brand selling protein bars or energy drinks for general use should add class 30 or 32. A pharma brand selling non-medicated skincare adds class 3.
What is the government fee to file a trademark in class 5?
The fee is ₹4,500 per class if you e-file as an individual, startup or small enterprise, and ₹9,000 per class for everyone else. Each class is charged separately, so class 5 plus one more class means two fees. We confirm your category before filing, so you pay the right amount.
Can I file in class 5 before I start selling?
Yes. Section 18(1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1999 lets you apply for a mark that is used or proposed to be used. You file on a “proposed to be used” basis, and your application date fixes your place in the queue. Anyone filing a similar mark later stands behind you. Once sales begin, keep invoices and labels as proof of use.
How long does a class 5 registration last?
A registration lasts ten years and can be renewed every ten years without limit under Section 25 of the Trade Marks Act, 1999. The ten years run from the application date, not the certificate date. Renewal is filed in Form TM-R, and a missed expiry can still be fixed within one year through surcharge or restoration.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
| Form TM-A, per class | E-filing | Paper filing |
|---|---|---|
| Individual, startup or small enterprise | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 |
| All other applicants | ₹9,000 | ₹10,000 |
Official IP India fees, charged per class.
Ready to begin?
Share your product list and we will check sound-alike names, confirm the classes and file your class 5 application.