Public feedback sought on proposed National Pharmacy Commission Bill

The public is being asked to provide feedback on the proposed National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023 by the Union Health Ministry. On November 14, a draft bill was created and posted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s news and highlights section of their website. The ministry’s bill would finalize the National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023, which would establish the National Pharmacy Commission and do away with the Pharmacy Act of 1948. The draft bill that has been proposed advocates for a comprehensive strategy to improve the pharmacy education system. The goal of the draft bill is to increase access to reasonably priced, high-quality pharmaceutical education.

The proposed Bill seks to provide for a pharmacy education system that improves access to quality and affordable pharmacy or pharmaceutical education, ensures availability of adequate and high quality pharmacy professionals in all parts of the country; that promotes equitable and universal healthcare and makes services of pharmacy professionals accessible to all the citizens.
The proposed Bill encourages pharmacy professionals to adopt latest pharmacy research in their work and to contribute to research. It has an objective periodic and transparent assessment of pharmacy institutions and facilitates maintenance of a pharmacy register for India
and enforces high ethical standards in all aspects of pharmacy services; that is flexible to adapt to changing needs and has an effective
grievance redressal mechanism.