Latest news with #PharmacyAct
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
CBI probe into PCI chief reignites push for pharmacy commission bill
Ahmedabad: With the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) now probing Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) president Montu Patel over alleged corruption in pharmacy college approvals, there is a renewed push for the passage of the long-pending National Pharmacy Commission Bill. An expert panel, constituted by the ministry of health & family welfare to review the Pharmacy Act, 1948, flagged the issue repeatedly before the govt. The committee warned them of systemic weaknesses in the existing framework and alleged irregularities in the PCI's functioning — issues now under formal investigation by the CBI. In its communication from Feb, addressed to the PMO, the panel flagged that the Pharmacy Act, 1948, was outdated, lacked enforcement clarity, and offered no academic representation in the PCI. It cited repeated court observations on the council's inefficiencies and advocated for a complete overhaul on the lines of the National Medical Commission. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The draft bill was already finalised after public consultation but has yet to be tabled in Parliament. With Patel now accused of manipulating inspection norms, bypassing due process, and exerting undue control over the executive committee, experts say the delay in passing the bill has allowed cracks in the system to deepen.
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Irregularities, manipulations' in Pharmacy Council of India elections: CBI raids chief's residence in Ahmedabad
Three days after an FIR was filed against the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) President Dr Montu Kumar Patel on June 30 over charges of irregularities and manipulations in elections of the Council, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday raided his residence in Ahmedabad city. The FIR against Patel was filed on the basis of a complaint received from Amit Biswas, Under Secretary in the Health Ministry, in March 2023, and following a preliminary enquiry (PE) carried out by the CBI since May 2023. The FIR was filed by an Inspector of the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch I, New Delhi. Dr Patel; Vinod Kumar Tiwari, who is part of the trust that runs the Rameshwar Prasad Satya Narayan Mahavidyalaya, Ayodhya; Santosh Kumar Jha, a middleman; and other unknown public servants and private persons were booked under Indian Penal Code Section 120-B read with 420, as well as Sections 7, 7A and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The PE focused on allegations of irregularities and manipulations in elections of PCI in 2022, co-opting of six members into the Executive Committee in violation of the Pharmacy Act, and grant of approval of pharmacy colleges. According to the FIR, the enquiry allegedly revealed that after being elected as the President of the Pharmacy Council of lndia in the 114th meeting of central council held on April 6, 2022, Dr Patel appointed some of the members to key posts in the PCI. Besides, a number of other members were facilitated by him by way of their nomination as co-opted members, member of Executive committee or other committees, including the Finance Committee. As many as 91 members were accommodated/nominated to some post or the other. The agenda for the 114th meeting was only for election of the President. However, going beyond the scope of the agenda, Dr Patel elected Dr (Ms) Nilimanka Das as a member of the EC and six others as co-opted members, thereby wresting control of the Executive Committee. Out of these six members, Dr Dharmendra Singh was later elected to the EC. Further, the said six co-opted members were given a blanket permission to be part of the EC for the whole year and also to participate in the decision-making process for approval of colleges/institutes. In subsequent meetings of the Executive Council, all decisions were made without putting the item to vote. Regarding approval to pharmacy colleges, the CBI FIR said that when the PE team visited Rameshwar Prasad Satya Narayan Mahavidyalaya, in UP's Ayodhya, it was found that it was in a dilapidated condition, without any faculty, infrastructure or students. Similar inspection visits to about 23 institutes/colleges in UP, MP, Gujarat and Rajasthan that were approved during the tenure of Dr Patel also showed that those colleges/institutes did not fulfil the laid down norms and were deficient. During the PE, it was revealed that six colleges — SSD College of Pharmacy, Gagan College of Pharmacy, Shanti Devi Jain Degree College, Veer Shivaji College of Pharmacy, and Bhagwati College of Pharmacy in UP and Heyward College of Pharmacy in Madhya Pradesh — were also approved by the EC headed by Dr Patel despite negative reports given by the inspectors. The PE thus allegedly revealed 'glaring instances' of criminal misconduct, exchange of bribe, approval of colleges despite non-compliance of norms and other such acts by Dr Patel and his accomplices that prima facie disclosed 'commission of offences'. The facts unearthed during the PE prima facie revealed that Dr Patel and others acted in criminal conspiracy with each other and unknown public servants and private persons by way of abusing official position as public servants and acting dishonestly in according approval to colleges in lieu of undue advantage which required thorough investigation. Further investigation is underway.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
15 pharmacies lose licences in Niuland for norms violations
Dimapur: State Drugs Control Administration (SDCA) has cancelled the licences of 15 pharmacies in Niuland district of Nagaland for failing to meet regulatory requirements. As part of efforts to enforce the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and its associated rules, a joint inspection was conducted on Tuesday by a team comprising the Niuland district administration, police, and officials from Dimapur chief medical officer's office. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The team was led by assistant drugs controller Martemjen Longkumer and drugs control officer Boto Sema. As per an official order issued by the SDCA, the licences were revoked due to non-compliance with earlier showcause notices. The pharmacies were found to have violated Rule 65(2) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and Section 42 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Health and family welfare minister P Paiwang Konyak earlier directed the SDCA to shut down all pharmacies operating without valid registration, licences, or qualified pharmacists. This action follows a statewide crackdown on unlicensed pharmacies. In April, authorities cancelled the licences of 54 pharmacies in Mokokchung town, and in Feb, licences of 24 pharmacies were revoked in Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts for similar violations.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Nagaland pharmacy association appeals to state govt for policy review claiming pharmacist shortage
Kohima, The All Nagaland Pharmacy Association has urged the state government to reconsider the strict enforcement of rules mandating registered pharmacists in all pharmacies, warning that the move could lead to widespread closures and disrupt healthcare access across Nagaland. At a press conference in Kohima on Friday, ANPA president Zhapuvilie Yashü and general secretary Limayanger Jamir said that although they respect and are willing to comply with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, and Pharmacy Act, 1948, the shortage of qualified pharmacists makes full implementation currently unfeasible. Quoting official data that there are 1,157 licensed pharmacies in Nagaland, Jamir claimed the state has only 278 registered pharmacists, of which, 252 are employed in government facilities, leaving just 26 for private pharmacies. Several districts, including Shamator and Meluri, have no registered pharmacists at all. Phek district, with 34 pharmacies, has only two while even in Kohima, some localities could be left without a single pharmacy if the rule is strictly enforced, he said. "This ratio is grossly disproportionate. Enforcing the rule without practical alternatives will throw the public health system into disarray," Jamir warned. ANPA said the licensing process has long been regulated by the Health & Family Welfare department, with pharmacies regularly paying fees. However, in late 2021, the department began enforcing stricter requirements for pharmacist appointments, it said. Yashu said while some private pharmacies have appointed pharmacists, most cannot do so due to the acute shortage. To address the issue collectively, pharmacy unions were formed in every district and unified under ANPA on March 13 this year, he said. ANPA said that despite repeated appeals to the Principal Director, Health Commissioner, and Health Minister, the association said their requests for a phased implementation or temporary relaxation have not been addressed while a representation to the chief minister is still pending. "If enforced fully, even key areas in Kohima and several districts will be left without pharmacy services," ANPA said. Pointing out that Nagaland is currently the only state in India without a pharmacy institute, ANPA said that even in other states, full enforcement of such policies has been hindered by manpower shortages. They questioned the government's expectations, noting that many government health centres rely on nurses trained for only three months to dispense medicines. "If the government can authorise nurses due to shortages, similar temporary measures should be extended to pharmacies until infrastructure is improved," ANPA argued. While the Drugs Control Administration had renewed licenses until 2028, pharmacies have recently begun receiving show cause notices and cancellation orders from May onwards, they said. ANPA clarified it is not opposing the policy but asking for a practical, state-specific approach that protects public health without disrupting essential services. "Until we have sufficient manpower and our own pharmacy institutions, we request the department to allow pharmacies to continue operating," the association appealed. They assured that if granted a reasonable extension, efforts to appoint registered pharmacists would continue. Meanwhile, Tiatoshi Amer, Controlling & Licensing Authority under the Health & Family Welfare Department, told PTI that the department acted only after repeated notices went unheeded. "We issued public notices and also verbally informed licensees to appoint pharmacists for the welfare of the public," he said. Amer added that the department will not consider an extension as enough time had already been provided, emphasising that public health remains the department's top priority. The officer also asserted that, as per data provided by the department's Pharmacy Cell, there are more than 300 registered unemployed pharmacists in the state, while for the government health units, the vacant posts are being requisitioned annually through the Nagaland Public Service Commission for recruitment.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Recognition for LU pharma students
Lucknow: The first batch of students at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, who enrolled in 2021 and are set to graduate in Jun 2025, received recognition under Section 12 of the Pharmacy Act from the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). This accreditation will enable the graduating students to register as pharmacists and it also opens diverse employment opportunities for them. Previously, the institute had approval for only course conduction. The D Pharm course at the institute had already received recognition under Section 12. "This is a momentous achievement for the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It validates our commitment to quality education and opens significant avenues for our graduating pharmacists. I congratulate the institute director, faculty and students and urge them to continue striving for excellence," said, Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor Prof Alok Kumar Rai.
