KSRPA urges govt to cancel licenses of those pharmacists who have not renewed their registration

Bengaluru, August 25, 2022:

The Karnataka State Registered Pharmacists Association (KSRPA) has urged the state government to cancel the drug licenses of those pharmacists who have not renewed their registration. This follows after the Karnataka High Court upheld the need to adhere to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
 
In a writ petition filed by KSRPA, the Association stated that the Drugs & Cosmetics Act and Rules clearly mention about a ‘qualified person’, and this is a registered pharmacist and hence renewal of his professional license is of utmost importance. Therefore, to recognize as registered pharmacist renewal is a must for every year. There are also conditions to be satisfied before a license is issued by the regulator as per Rule 64 and Rule 65 of the D&C Act.

The two rules refer to the condition related to the issue of licenses. It clearly states that if any drug is compounded or made on the licensee's premises, it must be only under the direct and personal supervision of a registered pharmacist.

The supply, other than by way of wholesale dealing,should be by a retail pharmacy outlet after receiving a prescription of a registered medical practitioner from the customer . All medicines in a retail pharmacy should be under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist, said AshokswamyHeroor, president, KSRPA.

Reinstating the need for renewal of registration, he said that Section 34 and Rule 49 of the D&C Act and Rules mandate all pharmacists to renew their registration every year as per the Pharmacy Act. All enforcement officers of the drug control department on their inspections round will need to suspend or cancel the license that are identified without the presence of a registered pharmacist, he said.

In the wake of the brisk business by retail pharmacists, there is need to ensure appointing a registered pharmacist, who can sell the drugs via doctor’s prescription, advise the patients on drug interaction, method of using the medication and ascertain the seriousness of the illness, said Heroor.

In the order, the Pharmacy Council Act-1948 and Rules-1968 and Regulations-2015 as well as Drugs and Cosmetics Act-1940 and Rules-1945 have said to take action accordingly. Hence we request the government to take action accordingly and comply with the order. Otherwise officials will be liable for contempt of the court. There is a need to check the renewal of the registered pharmacists. If they have not renewed, the license of the pharmacy outlet should be suspended or canceled in a time bound manner.

There are instances of Ayush doctors, nurses who have qualified with a diploma in Pharmacy (D Pharm) study the D. Pharmacy and registered themselves with the State Pharmacy Councils and also with the related boards of Ayurveda and Unani to pursue their medical practice. Similarly, nurses and paramedics too register with their related professional boards and also with the state pharmacy councils. The authorities need to identify which Registered Pharmacists are operating on two sides, said Heroor.Pharmabiz