Parliament Question: Operation of Medical Stores without Registered Pharmacists

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 5675 TOBE ANSWERED ON27TH MARCH, 2026 OPERATION OFMEDICALSTORES WITHOUTREGISTERED PHARMACISTS 5675.ADV.ADOOR PRAKASH: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) whether the Government has any proposal to allow medical stores to operate without the mandatorypresence of a registered pharmacist; (b) if so, the detailsthereofand the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government has taken note of the concerns raised in reports suggesting such asa move;and (d) if so, the detailsthereofalong with the response of the Government thereto? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a)to(d): Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Rules thereunder the license for Sale and Distribution of drugs are granted by the State Licensing Authority appointed by the respective State Government. Licensee is required to comply with all the conditions of license. State Licensing Authorities are empowered to take action on violation of any conditions of such licenses. As per the conditions of license, sales of Drugs shall be effected only by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist and no person can sale by retail the Schedule H, H1 and X drugs without prescription of Registered Medical Practitioner(RMP). There are provisions underRule 62Aand 62B of Drug Rules, 1945 regarding grant of restricted licenses to persons in respect of drugs, whose sale does not require the supervision of a qualifiedperson. *******