Pharmacy Act of 1948
Introduction and Purpose:
Before India gained independence, there were no regulations governing the practice of pharmacy. The Drug Enquiry Committee recognized the need for individuals involved in compounding and dispensing medicines to have proper education and qualifications. Similarly, the Health Survey and Development Committee made similar recommendations. As a result, the Pharmacy Act of 1948 was enacted in March 1948.
The primary objective of the Pharmacy Act of 1948 is to regulate the pharmacy profession and elevate its status in India. To achieve this goal, the Act established the Pharmacy Council of India, also known as the Central Council. This council is responsible for setting educational standards and regulations for the Diploma Course in Pharmacy through Education Regulations. Additionally, the Act provides for the formation of State Pharmacy Councils, which register pharmacists and oversee their professional activities.
Definitions:
1. Central Council: Refers to the Pharmacy Council of India.
2. Central Register: The registry of pharmacists maintained by the Central Council.
3. Medical Practitioner: Defined as an individual who holds qualifications specified under the Indian Medical Degrees Act of 1916 or the Indian Medical Council Act of 1956, or is registered or eligible for registration in a medical register of a state for practicing modern scientific medicine. This also includes individuals engaged in veterinary medicine with approved qualifications.
4. Registered Pharmacist: An individual whose name is currently listed in the pharmacist registry of the state where they reside or practice pharmacy.
5. Displaced Person: Refers to individuals who left their place of residence due to the partition of India and Pakistan, civil disturbances, or fear of such disturbances in specific areas.
6. Repatriate: A person of Indian origin who left their place of residence in Burma, Sri Lanka, Uganda, or other countries due to civil disturbances and has since resided in India.
7. University Grants Commission: Denotes the University Grants Commission established under the University Grants Commission Act of 1956.
8. Indian University: Refers to universities defined under the University Grants Commission Act of 1956, including institutions specified by the Central Government through official notification.
Pharmacy Council of India: constitution
The Pharmacy Act of 1948 establishes the Central Council, also known as the Pharmacy Council of India, under section 3 of chapter 1. The council comprises the following members:
(a) Six members, including at least one teacher in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Pharmacognosy, elected by the University Grants Commission from Indian university or college staff offering pharmacy degree or diploma programs.
(b) Six members nominated by the Central Government, with at least four possessing pharmacy degrees or diplomas and actively practicing pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry.
(c) One member elected by the Medical Council of India from their members.
(d) Representatives from the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education.
(e) One member from each state, elected by their respective State Councils, who must be a registered pharmacist (Note: As per the Pharmacy Amendment Act of 1976, one member is nominated by the Government of each union territory, eligible for registration under section 31).
(f) One member from each state, nominated by the State Government, who must be a registered pharmacist.
Ex-officio members include:
(g) Director General of Health Services.
(h) Drug Controller of India.
(i) Director of the Central Drugs Laboratory.
Functions of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI):
The Central Council, or PCI, has several key functions:
- Prescribing minimum educational standards for pharmacist qualification.
- Regulating these minimum educational standards by appointing inspectors to evaluate institutions offering pharmacy education.
- Recognizing qualifications from regions outside the scope of the Pharmacy Act of 1948 for the purpose of registration.
- Maintaining a central register of pharmacists.
- Undertaking any other functions necessary for advancing the objectives of the Pharmacy Act of 1948.
- 3. Recognizing qualifications from regions outside the scope of the Pharmacy Act of 1948 for the purpose of registration.
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