Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023

• 22 Nov 2023

Recently, the Union Health Ministry presented the draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023, which seeks to repeal the Pharmacy Act of 1948 and replace the Pharmacy Council of India with a National Commission.

Key Points

• Objectives of the Proposed Bill: The bill targets enhancing the pharmacy education system, ensuring widespread availability of qualified professionals, promoting universal healthcare, and making pharmacy services accessible to all citizens.
• Key Provisions for Pharmacy Education: Emphasis on periodic and transparent assessments of pharmacy institutions, the establishment of a national pharmacy register, and enforcement of high ethical standards in all aspects of pharmacy services.
• Promotion of Latest Pharmacy Research: Encouraging pharmacy professionals to adopt and contribute to the latest pharmacy research, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in the field.
• Flexibility and Adaptation: The draft bill advocates for flexibility to adapt to changing needs in the pharmaceutical landscape, underlining the importance of staying dynamic in response to evolving healthcare requirements.
• Effective Grievance Redressal: A commitment to establishing an effective grievance redressal mechanism, ensuring accountability and responsiveness in addressing concerns within the pharmacy sector.
• Role of Pharmacy Ethics and Registration Board: Introduction of the Pharmacy Ethics and Registration Board to maintain a National Pharmacy Register, promoting transparency by documenting details of pharmacy professionals across the country.