Pharmacy Council of India Functions
Functions of Pharmacy Council of India, Education regulation, Approval of courses of study and examination, Withdrawal of Approval, Qualification recognition granted by authority outside India, Central Register of Pharmacists,
PHARMACEUTICAL JURISPRUDENCE
Alok Bains
1/8/20245 min read
Functions of Pharmacy Council of India: Education regulation, Approval of courses of study and examination, Withdrawal of Approval, Qualification recognition granted by authority outside India, Central Register of Pharmacists,
Functions of the Pharmacy Council of India
The Pharmacy Council of India performs the following functions to provide uniform education throughout India for would-be pharmacists.
1. Lay down education Regulation
2. Approval of Institution to conduct a study for would-be pharmacists
3. Approval of examining body (University or board) to examine would-be pharmacists
4. Withdrawal of approval of institutions conducting study for would-be pharmacists
5. Withdrawal of approval of examining body conducting examinations for would-be pharmacists
6. Preparation and maintenance of a central register for registered pharmacists
7. Recognition of qualifications granted by an authority outside India.
8. Constitution of any other committee for general or special purposes.
9. Fixing of remuneration and allowances to members of any other committee constituted for general or special purposes
Education regulation
The Pharmacy Council of India makes education regulations after prior approval from the government. Education regulation framed by the Pharmacy Council of India is a minimum standard of education required as a qualification to be a registered pharmacist. Education regulation prescribes the following minimum standard:
1. Minimum qualification for admission in an institution conducting a pharmacy program
2. Minimum Duration of training and courses of study to be a registered pharmacist
3. Minimum duration of practical training in a hospital after successful completion of the academic part of the curriculum to be a registered pharmacist
4. Minimum period and nature of practical training in a hospital after completion of the academic part of curriculu500 hours to be covered in three months in a recognized hospital, pharmacy, or dispensary,
5. Subjects of examination and their criteria to declare pass in subjects
6. The equipment and facilities to be provided by institutions conducting pharmacy program
7. Conditions to be fulfilled by the institution providing practical training
8. Condition to be fulfilled by examining body conducting approved examination for the pharmacy program.
The Pharmacy Council of India shall circulate a draft of education regulation to state governments and the union territory (UT) Governments. There shall be 3 3-month period for various governments to send their comments. The Pharmacy Council of India shall consider all these comments.
Then implement education regulation after prior approval from the central government. The same rules will be applicable for any further amendment in education regulation. Education regulation and its all amendments shall be published in the official gazette. Executive committee from time to time reports to the Pharmacy Council of India regarding the efficacy of education regulation. The executive committee shall also recommend to the Pharmacy Council of India any development in the pharmacy profession and amendment required in education regulation.
The state government will notify through an official gazette notification after consulting the state pharmacy council about the implementation of education regulations in the state. If there is no such official gazette notification then education regulation will be implemented in the state automatically after the expiry of three years from the date of the constitution of the state pharmacy council.
Approval of courses of study and examination
The institute needs approval from the Pharmacy Council of India to conduct a pharmacy program for would-be pharmacists. Similarly examining body also needs approval from the Pharmacy Council of India to conduct examinations for would-be pharmacists. Institutes apply to the Pharmacy Council of India to conduct study for pharmacy programs in the prescribed form with prescribed fees. The Pharmacy Council of India also announces periods (duration of time) along with the last date to apply to conduct a pharmacy study program in the coming academic session. The Pharmacy Council of India deputes inspectors to visit institutes and to inspect facilities to be provided to students as per education regulations. Inspectors prepare a report and submit it to the Pharmacy Council of India. If the report is satisfactory, then approval is granted by the Pharmacy Council of India to conduct a pharmacy study program as per guidelines prescribed in education regulations. Usually, approval is granted for up to the specific academic session. For further approval, the institute has to apply for an extension of approval status.
If a report from inspectors is not satisfactory, then it will be informed to the institute regarding shortcomings. The institute has to submit action taken to remove objections raised by inspectors. If the action taken report is satisfactory in that condition the Pharmacy Council of India grants approval. The Pharmacy Council of India may again depute inspectors to verify the action taken report taken by the institute. On the report of inspectors, The Pharmacy Council of India will grant approval status to the institute.
The same procedure is followed by the examining authority. Inspectors may visit the examination center to observe the standard of examination without interfering in the conduct of the examination. Inspectors submit reports and the Pharmacy Council of India grants approval for examination.
Declaration of approval of the institute and examining body is passed in a meeting of the Pharmacy Council of India. It is also published in a gazette notification.
Withdrawal of Approval
Institutions conducting pharmacy study programs and examining authorities holding examinations for pharmacy should follow all norms prescribed in education regulations framed by the Pharmacy Council of India. If it comes to notice to the council that the institute or examining authority is not observing norms of education regulation then the Pharmacy Council of India serves notice to them. Notice may state the intention of the Pharmacy Council of India regarding withdrawal of approval to conduct a pharmacy study program or to hold an examination for pharmacy students. Institute and examining authorities will be allowed to submit their explanation regarding objections. Institutes or examining bodies submit their explanation through respective state governments within 3 months, If the explanation is satisfactory then approval will be allowed to continue otherwise their approval will be withdrawn by the Pharmacy Council of India.
Qualification recognition granted by an authority outside India
Candidates holding a Pharmacy Council of India-approved degree or diploma in pharmacy are eligible for registration as pharmacists and enter to pharmacy profession. Persons holding pharmacy qualifications granted by authorities outside India cannot get registration as a pharmacist in India. Because the Pharmacy Council of India has no control over the authority that grants such qualification. There is no guarantee of knowledge and skilled persons have to perform duty as registered pharmacists. The Pharmacy Council of India recognizes such qualifications after ascertaining that the person has sufficient knowledge and skills to work as an independent pharmacist. The Pharmacy Council of India may also specify periods for such qualification deemed to be recognized for registration as a pharmacist in the state pharmacy council. Such qualification shall not be validly granted before that specified period or after that specified period for registration in the state pharmacy council.
Normally citizen of India holding such qualifications is recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India and the person is allowed to get a registration number from the state pharmacy council. Citizens of other countries holding such qualifications is allowed if any Indian citizen holding such qualifications allowed in that country to enter the pharmacy profession.
Central Register of Pharmacists
Pharmacy Amendment Act 1976 has a provision to maintain a central register by the Pharmacy Council of India.
The central register contains the names of all registered pharmacists registered in the state pharmacy councils of all states. The registrar must maintain this register as per guidelines issued by the Pharmacy Council of India. It should be revised from time to time and published in the official gazette of the government of India. This register is deemed to be a public document under the Indian Evidence Act 1872.
Each state pharmacy council must provide five copies of the register of pharmacists maintained by them to the Pharmacy Council of India. Register must be supplied as soon as after 1st April of each year. The Pharmacy Council of India will maintain a central register by using a register of pharmacists supplied by each state pharmacy council.
Alok Bains