Pharmacy Council of India

Pharmacy Council of India

Abbreviation	PCI
Formation	March 4, 1948;77 years ago (1948-03-04)
Type	Government
Legal status	Active
Purpose	Regulation of the profession and practise of pharmacy
Headquarters	New Delhi, India
President	Montubhai Patel
Vice president	Pramod Yeole
Website	pci.nic.in (old site) pci.gov.in (new site)

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is the statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It is constituted under the Pharmacy Act of 1948. ^{[1] [2]} The Council was first constituted on 4 March 1948. ^[3] Montubhai Patel was elected as the new president of PCI in May 2022. ^{[4] [5]}

Members

The Pharmacy Council of India is constituted by the central government every five years. There are three types of members that collectively form the frame of PCI:

1. Elected members: 1 member is elected by the Medical Council of India (MCI) and 1 as a "registered pharmacist" by the state council.
2. Nominated members: 6 members are nominated by the central government.
3. Ex-officio members:

1) The Dirctor Journal, Health Service, Ex-offico.

2) The Drug Controller Of India.

3) The Director Of Central Drug Laboratory.

Objectives

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is a statutory body established under the Pharmacy Act of 1948. ^[6] Its primary objectives are aimed at regulating and promoting the pharmacy profession and education in India. Here are the key objectives of the Pharmacy Council of India:

1. Regulation of Pharmacy Education: ^[7] PCI sets the standards for pharmacy education in India, ensuring that educational institutions meet the required criteria for quality and effectiveness in training future pharmacists.
2. Registration of Pharmacists: ^[8] The council is responsible for maintaining a register of pharmacists in India, ensuring that only qualified individuals are allowed to practice pharmacy.
3. Promotion of Professional Standards: PCI works to enhance the professional standards of pharmacy practice, ensuring that pharmacists adhere to ethical guidelines and provide safe and effective pharmaceutical care.
4. Continuing Education and Professional Development: The council promotes continuous professional development and education for pharmacists to keep them updated with the latest advancements in the field of pharmacy.
5. Policy Formulation: ^[9] PCI advises the government on matters related to pharmacy education and practice, helping to shape policies that affect the pharmacy profession.
6. Public Awareness and Safety: The council aims to educate the public about the role of pharmacists and the importance of safe medication practices, thereby enhancing public health.
7. Research and Development: PCI encourages research in the field of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences to foster innovation and improve healthcare outcomes.
8. Collaboration with Other Organizations: The council collaborates with various stakeholders, including educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and government bodies, to promote the pharmacy profession and improve healthcare delivery.

Main functions of PCI

The main functions of the PCI are: ^[10]

• 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 throughout 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)

References

1. "Pharmacy Council of India". www.pci.nic.in. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
2. "Home - PCI". pci.gov.in. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
3. Gopal, M. Sai (7 July 2021). "Pharmacy Council notifies clinical pharmacist posts in hospitals". Telangana Today. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
4. "Pharmacy Council of India appoints Montubhai Patel as new President - Express Pharma". www.expresspharma.in. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
5. ruchika (9 April 2022). "Pharmacy Council of India elects Montubhai Patel as new President". medicaldialogues.in. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
6. "Pharmacy Act 1948 - PCI". pci.gov.in. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
7. "Student Corner - PCI". pci.gov.in. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
8. "How to Become a Pharmacist in India | #1 Best Online Community for..." #1 Best Online Community for Pharmacy Professionals. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
9. "EC And CC Decision - PCI". pci.gov.in. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
10. "Information published in pursuance of section 4(1) (b) of the Right to Information Act, 2005". Pharmacy Council of India. Retrieved 15 May 2013.