Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill released
The Union Health Ministry has released 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.
The ministry put up the draft bill on its website on November 14 seeking comments from the public.
The proposed bill aims to provide for a pharmacy education system that improves access to quality and affordable pharmacy or pharmaceutical education, ensures the availability of adequate and high-quality pharmacy professionals in all parts of the country, promotes equitable and universal healthcare, and makes services of pharmacy professionals accessible to all citizens.
The draft bill calls for a periodic and transparent assessment of pharmacy institutions, facilitating the maintenance of a pharmacy register for India, and enforcing high ethical standards in all aspects of pharmacy services.