Draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in News?
• About the Proposed National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023
• Salient Provisions of the National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023
• Functions of the National Pharmacy Commission

Why in News?

• The Union Health Ministry invited comments from the public and stakeholders on the proposed National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023.
• Earlier, during the Parliament session (in August), the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill2023 and the National Dental Commission Bill 2023, were passed.

About the Proposed National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023

• It aims to replace the Pharmacy Act 1948 and the existing Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) with the National Pharmacy Commission.
  • The Act of 1948 regulates the profession of pharmacy whereas it is expedient to make better provision for the regulation of the profession and practise of pharmacy.
  • For that purpose, it constitutes the Pharmacy Council of India.
• The Bill aims to improve access to affordable, high-quality pharmacy education, and ensure the availability of pharmacy professionals nationwide and seeks to promote equitable healthcare by making pharmacy services accessible to all citizens.

Salient Provisions of the National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023

• National Pharmacy Commission:
  • The bill proposes to constitute a commission with its head office in New Delhi.
  • The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, 13 ex-officio members and 14 part-time members.
• Three boards: The Central Government shall constitute 3 boards namely the Pharmacy Education Board, the Pharmacy Assessment and Rating Board and the Pharmacy Ethics and Registration Board, which will function under the commission.
• Establishment of new pharmacy institutions:
  • The bill prohibits the establishment of new pharmacy institutions or courses without prior permission from the Pharmacy Assessment and Rating Board.
  • This Board will evaluate and rate pharmacy institutions and publish assessment documents on its website.
  • Non-compliance with minimum standards may result in actions such as warnings, penalties, reduced intake, admissions suspension, or recognition withdrawal.
• National Pharmacy Register: According to the draft, the Pharmacy Ethics and Registration Board will maintain a National Pharmacy Register which will have details of pharmacy professionals to ensure transparency.
• Implementation:
  • Every State Government shall, within one year from the commencement of this Act, constitute a state pharmacy chapter, where no such state chapter exists in that State by a State Law.
  • This will help in exercising such powers and discharging such duties as may be laid down under the Act.
• Periodic and transparent assessment: The Bill also calls for a periodic and transparent assessment of pharmacy institutions.
• Other provisions:
  • The Bill also encourages professionals to integrate the latest research into their work, contribute to research, and uphold high ethical standards.
  • It establishes an effective grievance redressal mechanism for relevant matters.
  • The draft bill proposes flexibility to adapt to changing needs and seeks to set up an effective grievance redressal mechanism.

Functions of the National Pharmacy Commission

• The commission is tasked with setting education standards, facilities, assessments, training, research, and tuition fees.
• It will establish standards for the pharmacy faculty and clinical facilities, implement a uniform admission mechanism, and regulate pharmacy education and training policies.
• Additionally, the commission will oversee and regulate pharmacy institutions, research activities, professionals, and associates.
• The commission will also make regulations to ensure the competency of pharmacy professionals.
• The commission will evaluate professionals either through final year undergraduate exam or otherwise,
  • To ensure adequate competence of the pharmacy professionals for enrolment in the National Register or State Register, and
  • For granting licence to practise as a pharmacy professional.
• It will also have the duty to collaborate with industry and other institutions for the use of cutting-edge technology and hybrid education to drive innovation and research in pharmacy.
• To ensure the global mobility of professionals, the council will have to train professionals with soft skills and provide elective courses at educational institutions.

Q1) What is the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act 2023?

The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act 2023 provides for regulation and maintenance of standards of education and services by nursing and midwifery professionals, assessment of institutions, maintenance of National and State Registers, etc.

Q2) What is the National Dental Commission Act 2023?

The National Dental Commission Act 2023 regulates the profession of dentistry in India, provides quality and affordable dental education and to make high-quality oral healthcare accessible.

Source: Health Ministry releases draft National Pharmacy Commission Bill | Money Control