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The All India Group of Chemists and Pharmacists (AIOCD) has opposed the proposal to grant ‘restricted’ drug licenses in Varieties 20A and 21A to Major Agricultural Credit score Societies (PACS) throughout India.
In a letter to the Middle, the Middle stated the proposal was of grave concern to public well being, affected person security and the nationwide drug regulatory framework.
The Central authorities is contemplating a proposal to grant ‘restricted’ drug license to PACS in the event that they function Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) in rural and tribal areas with out having a registered pharmacist on obligation.
This initiative goals to develop entry to inexpensive medicines (roughly 50-90% decrease price) in distant areas.
Opposing the transfer, AIOCD normal secretary Rajiv Singhal stated the group was not against organising Jan Aushadhi Kendra facilities throughout India, however “opening this floodgate to unqualified individuals is harmful for most of the people.”
As of early March 2026, there are over 18,000 purposeful PMBJKs throughout India. The federal government is quickly increasing this community and goals to succeed in 25,000 Kendras by March 2027. These facilities present high quality generic medicines at inexpensive costs.
These Kendras supply over 2,110 pharmaceutical merchandise and 315 surgical merchandise at costs which are 50-80% cheaper than their branded counterparts. Additionally, particular incentives as much as Rs 200,000 might be offered to girls, SC/STs and different specified teams who open these centres.
In the meantime, the letter from the AIOCD says that prescription drugs are life-saving merchandise and can’t be handled on a par with pesticides. “The preparation of medicines should be strictly supervised by skilled and registered pharmacists. Any dilution constitutes a harmful experiment to public well being,” the group stated.
Based on the AIOCD, Rules 62A and 62B of the Medication and Cosmetics Guidelines, 1945 had been solely made for distinctive circumstances.
The group identified that there are at the moment enough numbers of licensed medical shops and registered pharmacists in city in addition to rural areas of the nation, and that large-scale issuance of restricted licenses is neither mandatory nor justified.
AIOCD Chairman JS Shinde defined that the PACS company primarily offers with fertilizers, pesticides and agrochemicals. Storing pharmaceutical merchandise in such services poses vital dangers of cross-contamination and insufficient storage situations. This straight impacts affected person security.
The group additionally warned that the dishing out of medicines by non-pharmacists might improve antibiotic misuse and medicine errors, contributing to nationwide challenges equivalent to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
AIOCD known as on the Ministry of Well being and Household Welfare to rethink this proposal within the better public curiosity and shield the spirit and goal of the Medication and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Their major calls for embrace: The proposal to grant PACS a restricted drug license ought to be withdrawn instantly. No normal advisory ought to be issued to States/UTs beneath Guidelines 62A and 62B for licensing of PACS. and Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras shall function solely in duly licensed pharmacy institutions beneath the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
AIOCD represents greater than 12.4 million chemists and pharmacists nationwide.
