Pharmacy Council of India
Encyclopedia
The pharmacy education and profession in India
up to graduate level is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), a statutory body governed by the provisions of the Pharmacy Act 1948 passed by the Indian Parliament
.
The Pharmacy Act 1948 was enacted on 04.03.1948 with the following preamble: “An Act to regulate the profession of pharmacy. Whereas it is expedient to make better provision for the regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacy and for that purpose to constitute Pharmacy Councils".
The PCI was constituted on 09.08.1949 under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
up to graduate level is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), a statutory body governed by the provisions of the Pharmacy Act 1948 passed by the Indian Parliament
Parliament of India
The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body in India. Founded in 1919, the Parliament alone possesses legislative supremacy and thereby ultimate power over all political bodies in India. The Parliament of India comprises the President and the two Houses, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha...
.
The Pharmacy Act 1948 was enacted on 04.03.1948 with the following preamble: “An Act to regulate the profession of pharmacy. Whereas it is expedient to make better provision for the regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacy and for that purpose to constitute Pharmacy Councils".
The PCI was constituted on 09.08.1949 under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act.
OBJECTIVES
- Regulation of the Pharmacy Education in the Country for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act.
- Regulation of Profession and Practice of Pharmacy.
- Prescribing the minimum standard of education required for qualifying as a pharmacist i.e., framing of education regulations prescribing the conditions to be fulfilled by the institutions seeking approval of the PCI for imparting education in pharmacy.
- Ensuring uniform implementation of the educational standards through out the country.
- Approving the courses of study and examination for pharmacists i.e. approval of the academic training institutions providing pharmacy courses.
- Withdrawing approval if the courses of study does not continue to be conformity with the educational standards prescribed by the PCI.
- Approving qualifications granted outside the territories to which Pharmacy Act, 1948 extends i.e. the approval of foreign qualification.
- Maintaining Central register of Pharmacists.
EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
- Director-General of Health Sciences, Govt. of India or his/her nominee.
- Drugs Controller General of India or his/ her nominee.
- Director, Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL), Kolkatta.
ELECTED MEMBERS
- Six members of whom at least one teacher of each of the subjects of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy elected by University Grant Commission (UGC) from amongst teacher of Indian Universities or affiliated colleges imparting diploma or degree in pharmacy.
- One member elected by from amongst its members of Medical Council of India.
- One member each elected by the State Pharmacy Council of each state who should be a registered pharmacist.
NOMINATED MEMBERS
- Six members nominated by the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, of which at least 4 should possess degree or diploma in pharmacy qualification and should be practicing pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry.
- One representative each from UGC and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
- One member representing each State Government or Union Territory who shall be a registered pharmacist nominated by the respective State Government or Union Territory.
FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
- To prescribe minimum standard of education required for qualifying as a pharmacist. (Ref.: section 10 of the Pharmacy Act).
- Framing of Education Regulations prescribing the conditions to be fulfilled by the institutions seeking approval of the PCI for imparting education in pharmacy. (Ref.: section 10 of the Pharmacy Act)
- To ensure uniform implementation of the educational standards through out the country. (Ref. : section 10 of the Pharmacy Act)
- Inspection of Pharmacy Institutions seeking approval under the Pharmacy Act to verify availability of the prescribed norms. (Ref.: section 16 of the Pharmacy Act)
- To approve the course of study and examination for pharmacists i.e. approval of the academic training institutions providing pharmacy courses. (Ref. : section 12 of the Pharmacy Act)
- To withdraw approval, if the approved course of study or an approved examination does not continue to be in conformity with the educational standards prescribed by the PCI. (Ref.: section 13 of the Pharmacy Act)
- To approve qualifications granted outside the territories to which the Pharmacy Act extends i.e. the approval of foreign qualification. (Ref. : section 14 of the Pharmacy Act)
- To maintain Central Register of Pharmacists. (Ref. : section 15 A of the Pharmacy Act)