Pharmacy Council of India

Pharmacy Council of India
Abbreviation	PCI
Motto	Making better provisions for the regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacy
Type	GOVT
Purpose/focus	Regulate education and pharmacy profession in India
Headquarters	New Delhi
Location	Combined Council's Building, Kotla Road, Aiwan-E-Ghalib Marg, New Delhi-110 002.
Region served	India
Website	[1]

The pharmacy education and profession in India up to graduate level is regulated by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), a statutory body governed by the provisions of the Pharmacy Act 1948 passed by the Indian Parliament.

The Pharmacy Act 1948 was enacted on 04.03.1948 with the following preamble: “An Act to regulate the profession of pharmacy. Whereas it is expedient to make better provision for the regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacy and for that purpose to constitute Pharmacy Councils".

The PCI was constituted on 09.08.1949 under section 3 of the Pharmacy Act.

1 OBJECTIVES
2 THE CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL COUNCIL OF PCI
3 FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES
4 See Also
5 External links

OBJECTIVES

Regulation of the Pharmacy Education in the Country for the purpose of registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act.

Regulation of Profession and Practice of Pharmacy.

Prescribing the minimum standard of education required for qualifying as a pharmacist i.e., framing of education regulations prescribing the conditions to be fulfilled by the institutions seeking approval of the PCI for imparting education in pharmacy.

Ensuring uniform implementation of the educational standards through out the country.

Approving the courses of study and examination for pharmacists i.e. approval of the academic training institutions providing pharmacy courses.

Withdrawing approval if the courses of study does not continue to be conformity with the educational standards prescribed by the PCI.

Approving qualifications granted outside the territories to which Pharmacy Act, 1948 extends i.e. the approval of foreign qualification.

Maintaining Central register of Pharmacists.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF CENTRAL COUNCIL OF PCI

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

Director-General of Health Sciences, Govt. of India or his/her nominee.
Drugs Controller General of India or his/ her nominee.
Director, Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL), Kolkatta.

ELECTED MEMBERS

Six members of whom at least one teacher of each of the subjects of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy elected by University Grant Commission (UGC) from amongst teacher of Indian Universities or affiliated colleges imparting diploma or degree in pharmacy.
One member elected by from amongst its members of Medical Council of India.
One member each elected by the State Pharmacy Council of each state who should be a registered pharmacist.

NOMINATED MEMBERS

Six members nominated by the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, of which at least 4 should possess degree or diploma in pharmacy qualification and should be practicing pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry.
One representative each from UGC and All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
One member representing each State Government or Union Territory who shall be a registered pharmacist nominated by the respective State Government or Union Territory.

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

To prescribe minimum standard of education required for qualifying as a pharmacist. (Ref.: section 10 of the Pharmacy Act).
Framing of Education Regulations prescribing the conditions to be fulfilled by the institutions seeking approval of the PCI for imparting education in pharmacy. (Ref.: section 10 of the Pharmacy Act)
To ensure uniform implementation of the educational standards through out the country. (Ref. : section 10 of the Pharmacy Act)
Inspection of Pharmacy Institutions seeking approval under the Pharmacy Act to verify availability of the prescribed norms. (Ref.: section 16 of the Pharmacy Act)
To approve the course of study and examination for pharmacists i.e. approval of the academic training institutions providing pharmacy courses. (Ref. : section 12 of the Pharmacy Act)
To withdraw approval, if the approved course of study or an approved examination does not continue to be in conformity with the educational standards prescribed by the PCI. (Ref.: section 13 of the Pharmacy Act)
To approve qualifications granted outside the territories to which the Pharmacy Act extends i.e. the approval of foreign qualification. (Ref. : section 14 of the Pharmacy Act)
To maintain Central Register of Pharmacists. (Ref. : section 15 A of the Pharmacy Act)