DRAFT NATIONAL PHARMACY COMMISSION BILL, 2023

Context

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) in India sought public comments on the Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023.

Objective

To replace the existing Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) with a new body called the National Pharmacy Commission.

Purpose of the Pharmacy Act, 1948: Currently regulates the practice and profession of pharmacy in India.

Goals of the New Legislation:

1. Promote National Health Goals: Aims to align with and enhance national health objectives.
2. Quality Pharmaceutical Education: Improve access to quality and affordable pharmaceutical education.
3. Availability of Pharmacy Professionals: Increase the availability of high-quality pharmacy professionals in the healthcare system.
4. Grievance Redressal Mechanism: Establish an effective mechanism for addressing grievances related to pharmacy services.
5. Equitable Healthcare Access: Promote equitable healthcare by making pharmacy services accessible to all citizens.
6. Transparent Assessment: Ensure transparent assessment of pharmacy institutions.
7. Pharmacy Register Maintenance: Facilitate the maintenance of a comprehensive pharmacy register for India.
8. Encourage Research and Ethics: Encourage pharmacy professionals to engage in the latest pharmacy research, contribute to it, and uphold high ethical standards in the profession.

Compare the key features of the Pharmacy Act of 1948 and the National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023.

Feature	Pharmacy Act of 1948	National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023
1- Objective	Regulate pharmacy education and practice	Improve access to affordable pharmacy education, ensure qualified professionals, maintain high ethical standards
2- Governing Body	Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)	National Pharmacy Commission (replaces PCI)
3- Admission Mechanism	Not explicitly detailed	Uniform mechanism for admission into pharmacy institutions at various levels
4- Competence Evaluation	Not explicitly detailed	Mechanism for evaluating competence of pharmacy professionals (potentially through final year undergraduate exams)
5- Regulatory Boards	Not specified	Three boards: Pharmacy Education Board, Pharmacy Assessment and Rating Board, and Pharmacy Ethics and Registration Board
6- Approval Process for New Institutions	Not specified	Stringent approval process; no new institution or course without permission from Pharmacy Assessment and Rating Board
7- State Chapters	Not specified	State governments to constitute State Pharmacy Chapters within one year
8- Overall Focus	Regulating pharmacy education and practice	Coordinated development of pharmacy education, maintain service standards, integrate technology and innovation

 

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