Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by The Health Master
Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill 2023
In a significant move aimed at streamlining the registration process for pharmacists, the Union health ministry has presented the Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Lok Sabha.
This proposed amendment brings forth a special provision for individuals registered or qualified under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act, 2011.
The key objective is to enable their seamless registration under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Let’s delve into the details of this crucial development.
Amendment for Easier Registration of Pharmacists
The core aim of the Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023, is to insert a new Section 32C into the existing Pharmacy Act, 1948.
This proposed amendment is geared towards easing the registration process for pharmacists who were previously registered or qualified under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act, 2011.
Key Points of the Proposed Amendment
The proposed Section 32C stipulates the following key points:
- Individuals registered under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act, 2011 or possessing qualifications (medical assistants or pharmacists) prescribed under the same act will be automatically considered registered under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
- This transition will be subject to the condition that an application be submitted within a period of one year from the commencement of the Pharmacy (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- The application process entails the payment of a specified fee and compliance with the prescribed procedure, as determined by the Government of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Administration of the Union territory of Ladakh.
Background and Need for the Amendment
The Union health ministry emphasizes that the implementation of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, led to the repeal of various acts, including the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act, 2011.
This act, which regulated the pharmacy profession in the region, was replaced by the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
However, certain ambiguities arose due to notifications issued regarding registration transitions:
- Notifications in 2020 indicated that individuals already registered under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act, 2011 or possessing approved qualifications could be considered registered under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, provided they applied within a specified timeframe and paid the relevant fee.
- This created confusion regarding whether individuals who possessed approved qualifications but could not register earlier or students undergoing approved courses at the time of enactment were eligible for registration.
Collaboration and Drafting of the Amendment
To address these uncertainties, the proposed changes were formulated in consultation with various stakeholders:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs collaborated with the Department of Health and Medical Education of the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- Both Union territories submitted the draft amendment Bill after thorough review and vetting by their respective Departments of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023, thus stands as a collaborative effort aimed at ensuring a smoother transition for pharmacists from the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act, 2011, to the broader provisions of the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
This move seeks to harmonize the registration process, eliminate ambiguities, and provide clarity to all stakeholders involved.
Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model, to rewrite and present the news / article in a unique format.
Click to read complete series, Chapters 1 to 13, on India and Pharmacy Education
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