This PPT Covers Pharmacy Act –1948: Objectives, Definitions, Pharmacy Council of India; its constitution and functions, Education Regulations, State and Joint state pharmacy councils; constitution and functions, Registration of Pharmacists, Offences and Penalties

1. PHARMACY
ACT 1948
UNIT-3

2. Definitions
Central Council means the
Pharmacy Council of India.
State Council means the State
Council of Pharmacy constituted
under the Act and includes the joint
state pharmacy councils.
Central Register is the Pharmacists
register maintained by the Central
Council (Pharmacy Council of India).

3. Definitions
Medical Practitioner means a person
holding medical qualification as provided in
the Indian Medical Degree’s Act or Indian
Medical Council Act or a person registered or
eligible for registration in the medical
Register of the State or a Dentist or a
Veterinarian.
Registered Pharmacist means a person
whose name, for the time being, is entered in
the Register of Pharmacists of the state
where he is for time being residing or
carrying on his profession or business of
Pharmacy.

4. Introduction
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is
constituted by the Central Government every five
years.
The first Pharmacy Council of India was
constituted in the year, 1949.
The PCI is composed of Elected members,
Nominated members, and Ex-officio members.

5. Elected
Members
Six members representing various
areas like Pharmacy,
Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and
Pharmacognosy.
One member from the Medical
Council of India.
One member from each State
Pharmacy Council who is a
Registered Pharmacist.

6. Nominated
Members
One representative from the
University Grants Commission
and the All India Council for
Technical Education.
One Registered Pharmacist
nominated by each
State/Union Territory.

7. Ex-officio
Members
Director General of Health
Services
Director of Central Drugs
Laboratory
Drugs Controller of India

8. Leadership
The President and Vice-President of the Pharmacy Council are elected by its
members from amongst themselves. They have a term of office of five years. Any
member absent without sufficient excuse is deemed to have vacated his seat
from the Council.
A casual vacancy in the PCI is filled by fresh nomination or election, and the
person nominated or elected holds the office only for the remaining term.

9. Additional Appointments
All members of the Council are eligible for re-election
or re-nomination. The Council also appoints:
 Registrar's role as Secretary and possibly Treasurer
 Other officers and servants
 Executive Committee Composition

10. Functions of Pharmacy Council of India
1. To prescribe the minimum standards of education required for qualification as a Registered
Pharmacist.
2. To regulate the minimum educational standards by inspecting the institutions.
3. To recognize the qualification granted outside the territory to which the Pharmacy Act, 1948
extends to qualify for registration.
4. To compile and maintain a Central Register for Pharmacists, containing the names of all
Registered persons.
5. Any other function required for the furtherance of objectives of the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

11. Education Regulations (ER-91)
The main features are
 Minimum educational qualification for admission
 Duration of the course of study and training
 Nature and period of practical training
 Subjects of examination and qualification standards
 Minimum facilities required in institutions
 Conditions for approved examinations

12. Practical Training
 Minimum of 500 hours over 3 months
 Emphasis on actual dispensing (at least 250 hours)
 Exposure to records, pharmaceutical apparatus, prescriptions, and storage of
drugs

13. Institutions Providing Courses
Application by the institute to PCI
Inspection by PCI's inspectors
Approval if facilities meet standards
Publication of approval in Gazette

14. Withdrawal of Approval
PCI's notice of intention
Institution's representation within 3 months
PCI's decision to continue or withdraw approval

15. Approval of Qualifications Outside India
Approval based on skill and knowledge guarantee
Eligibility for Indian and other countries' citizens

16. Registration of Pharmacists
PCI's Central Register of
pharmacists
Submission of State council
registers
Inclusion in the central register
and publication in Gazette

17. STATE AND JOINT STATE PHARMACY COUNCILS
Each state of India can constitute a state pharmacy council under the provision
of the Pharmacy Act by their respective State Governments. Joint state
pharmacy councils can also be constituted where two or more states agree to
serve the needs of the other participating states.

18. THE COMPOSITION OF STATE AND JOINT STATE
PHARMACY COUNCILS

19. THE COMPOSITION OF STATE AND JOINT STATE
PHARMACY COUNCILS

20. THE COMPOSITION OF STATE AND JOINT STATE
PHARMACY COUNCILS

21. President and Vice-President elected by members.
Both nominated and elected members are eligible.
Five-year term for all members.
Eligible for re-election or re-nomination.
Unexcused absence leads to seat vacancy.
New nominations or elections fill casual vacancies.
Like the PCI, State, and Joint State Pharmacy Councils also
usually appoint a Registrar (who may also act as its
Secretary and Treasurer) and other necessary officers and
staff.

22. FUNCTIONS OF STATE
PHARMACY COUNCILS AND
JOINT STATE PHARMACY
COUNCILS

23. Inspection by State Councils
To inspect any premises where drugs are compounded or dispensed.
To enquire whether the dispensing or compounding of drugs is done by registered pharmacists
or not.
To investigate any complaint made in writing regarding contravention of the Act.
To institute prosecution under the direction of the Executive Committee of the State.
To exercise such other powers as may be necessary for specific provisions of the Act.

24. REGISTRATION OF
PHARMACISTS IN THE
FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT
REGISTERS

25. First Register - Preparation
Prepared by the State government
Role of State Pharmacy Councils
Annual fees to the Central Council

26. Information in Register
Full name & address
Date of entry
Qualifications
Professional address
Other particulars

27. The First Register
The Process of Registration as mandated by the
State Government

28. The First Register
Composition of the Registration Tribunal
3 persons
A Registrar who acts as secretary
Role of the State Government
Constituting the Registration Tribunal
Appointing a date for receiving applications
Application Procedure
Applications to be submitted before the appointed date
Must be accompanied by the prescribed fee

29. The First Register
Examination of Applications
The tribunal examines all applications up to the appointed date
Criteria for qualification
Publication of the First Register
Published by the State Government
Names are entered only after approval from the Tribunal
Appealing the Tribunal's Decision
The 60-day window for appeal
Authority appointed by the Government to handle appeals

30. The First Register
Final Decision and Amendments
State Government's decision is final
Amendments to the Register as per
Government directions
Transfer to State Council
Register handed over to the State Council for
custody

31. QUALIFICATIONS
FOR ENTRY INTO
THE FIRST REGISTER
Understanding the Criteria under the Pharmacy
Act, 1948

32. Qualifications for Entry into the First Register
Basic Criteria for Entry
Must be 18 years old
Must pay the prescribed fee to the state council
Must be a resident or practice in the State

33. Qualifications for Entry into the First Register
Educational Qualifications - Part A
A degree or diploma in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry
From an Indian University or State Government
Or other recognized qualifications outside of India
Educational Qualifications - Part B
A degree from an Indian University other than in Pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Engaged in drug dispensing and compounding for not less than three years

34. Qualifications for Entry into the First Register
Alternative Qualifications - Part C
Have passed an examination recognized by the State Government for
compounders and dispensers
Alternative Qualifications - Part D
Have a minimum of five years of experience in dispensing and compounding
drugs before the date notified by the State Government for applications

35. Subsequent Registers: Entry Qualifications
Basic Criteria for Entry
Must be 18 years old
Must pay the prescribed fee
Must be a resident or practice in the State

36. Subsequent Registers: Entry Qualifications
Basic Criteria for Entry
Must be 18 years old
Must pay the prescribed fee
Must be a resident or practice in the State

37. Subsequent Registers: Entry Qualifications
Specific Requirements - Part A
Follows requirements as prescribed for registration
If not prescribed, must have qualifications for the First Register
Must be at least matriculate
Specific Requirements - Part B
Is a Registered Pharmacist in another State
Specific Requirements - Part C
Possesses a qualification granted outside India
Must be at least matriculate qualification after Education Regulations have taken effect

38. Special Provisions for Registration
Applicability
Applicable to persons who migrated to India or resided in a place that became
Indian territory
Effective after the commencement of the Pharmacy (Amendment) Act, 1959

39. Special Provisions for Registration
Provision 1
Persons with degrees/diplomas in pharmacy, pharmaceutical chemistry.
Eligibility between the closing of the First Register and the effect of Education
Regulation.
Provision 2
Qualified Persons approved before 31st December 1969 under the Drugs and
Cosmetics Act, 1940.

40. Special Provisions for Registration
Provision 3
Displaced persons from specific countries and time periods.
Carrying out pharmacy as their main livelihood for five years before the date of
application.
Provision 4
Indian citizens engaged in pharmacy abroad.
Meeting conditions for registration in the first register of respective Indian State
Councils.
Provision 5
Engaged in drug dispensing for five years before the appointed date.
In a hospital, dispensary, or another place where drugs are regularly dispensed.

41. Removal of Names from the Pharmacy Register: Criteria & Legal
Framework
Reasons for Removal - Part 1
Error, misrepresentation, or suppression of facts.
Conviction of an offense affecting professional conduct.
Reasons for Removal - Part 2
Offenses by employees under the registered pharmacist.

42. Removal of Names from the Pharmacy Register: Criteria & Legal
Framework
Conditions for Action
Offense or conduct instigated or connived by the pharmacist
Previous offenses committed by the pharmacist
Offenses by employees known to the pharmacist
Offense or conduct continued over a period
Non-compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940

43. Removal of Names from the Pharmacy Register: Criteria & Legal
Framework
Legal Consequences
Removal may be permanent or temporary
Order by the Executive Committee and confirmation by the State Pharmacy Council
3-month grace period
Right to Appeal
30-day appeal window after order confirmation.
The State Government's decision is final.
After Removal
Surrender of registration certificate
Publication of removal in the Gazette

44. Printing of Pharmacy Registers: Legal Guidelines
Annual Printing
The requirement for State Council registrars to print the register every year after
April 1.
Importance of the yearly print
Annual Supplements
Printing of annual supplements to the register.
Information contained: additions, amendments, etc.

45. Printing of Pharmacy Registers: Legal Guidelines
Pre-Election Updates
The requirement is to update the registers three months before State Council elections.
Printing of these updated copies.
Availability
Copies are available to persons upon request
Payment of a prescribed charge for the copy.
Legal Evidence
Legal validity of the printed register and annual supplements
Use as evidence for confirming registered pharmacists

46. Offences and Penalties
Offence 1 - Falsely Claiming to be a Registered Pharmacist
False claim as a registered pharmacist
Use of restricted titles
Penalties on first conviction
Penalties on subsequent convictions
Offence 2 - Dispensing by Unregistered Persons
Dispensing, mixing, or compounding drugs by unregistered persons
Exceptions: Medical practitioners and with state government
permission
Penalties: Imprisonment or fine

47. Offences and Penalties
Offence 3 - Failing to Surrender Certificate of Registration
Failure to surrender registration certificate
Consequence of removal from the register
Penalty: Fine
Offence 4 - Penalty for Obstructing Inspectors
Obstruction of State Pharmacy Council Inspector
Penalties: Imprisonment or fine