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 In a significant move for reinforcing public health and professional standards, the Delhi Pharmacy Council (DPC) has issued a strict notice mandating that the dispensing of all medicines must be carried out only by a Registered Pharmacist.
This directive, referencing Section 42 of the Pharmacy Act, 1948, serves as a sharp reminder to all hospitals, pharmacies, and medical store owners within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The Council’s action is part of a broader, national push following a tragic cough syrup incident that recently occurred in Madhya Pradesh, and demands from the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), to tighten regulatory compliance within the pharmaceutical distribution sector, echoing similar circulars like that from the Madhya Pradesh State Pharmacy Council (MPSPC).
The DPC's notice, dated October 14, 2025, explicitly warns that no individual other than a Registered Pharmacist is permitted to compound, prepare, mix, or dispense any medicine based on a prescription. Crucially, the circular highlights recent amendments to the Pharmacy Act, 1948, incorporated through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. These amendments have introduced enhanced penalties for violations of Section 42, signalling a serious escalation in regulatory enforcement.
Under the updated provisions, any person found non-compliant with the law will now face severe legal consequences. The enhanced penalties include the possibility of imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or both. Furthermore, the DPC has warned that any violation could directly lead to the suspension or cancellation of registration by the Council itself.
In immediate response to the DPC's stern warning, the Retail Distribution Chemist Alliance (RDCA) Delhi, which is an association of chemists and druggists, swiftly issued its own circular to its members. The RDCA communication addressed all registered pharmacies, chemists, and druggists in Delhi. It was an urgent plea for collective responsibility and immediate action under the subject, Compliance with Delhi Pharmacy Council Directions.
Sandeep Nangia, president of the RDCA, strongly advised members to ensure full compliance with the Act and maintain a registered pharmacist on duty during pharmacy hours. The RDCA letter meticulously detailed the DPC's directive, specifically reiterating that only a registered pharmacist should be on duty during pharmacy hours to dispense medicines, and emphasized the newly enhanced penalties.
Nangia and the RDCA stressed the importance of these measures, urging members to ‘act responsibly and uphold the law for the dignity of our profession and protection of the chemist fraternity’. The proactive stance by the Alliance underscores the collective recognition of the regulatory tightening and the need for self-correction within the trade to avoid severe penalties, including potential closure.
These coordinated circulars in Delhi, issued by the DPC and the RDCA, following similar actions by bodies like the Madhya Pradesh State Pharmacy Council and demands from the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), confirm a major nationwide focus on rigorously implementing Section 42. The regulatory and professional bodies are making it clear, the presence of a registered pharmacist during dispensing operations is non-negotiable, marking a pivotal moment for pharmaceutical professionalism and patient safety across the country.
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