The Supreme Court has raised strong concerns regarding the Pharmacy Council of India’s policy of granting year-to-year approvals to pharmacy institutions, cautioning that the practice creates severe unpredictability for enrolled students.
Appearing for the central government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant that the Centre is drafting a new legislative framework to reform pharmacy education regulation. The proposed legislation, titled the National Pharmacy Commission Bill, is structured along the lines of the National Medical Commission and may be introduced during the ongoing session of Parliament.
Judicial Criticism of Approval System
The three-judge bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, scrutinised the continuation of what it termed an obsolete regulatory regime. Justice Bagchi questioned the rationale behind subjecting colleges offering B.Pharma, M.Pharma, and diploma programmes to single-year licensing cycles, especially when institutions already possess the required infrastructure and high-standard equipment.
Chief Justice Surya Kant noted that the court’s core concern is ensuring an effective regulatory framework for pharmacy education, regardless of the specific policies Parliament ultimately enacts. Conceding that the current approval process creates an undesirable environment of uncertainty for students, Solicitor General Mehta stated he would discuss the court’s observations with government officials.
Hearing Deferred for Two Weeks
In light of the ongoing parliamentary session and potential legislative developments, the Supreme Court decided to postpone further proceedings. The bench announced that it would resume hearing the Pharmacy Council of India’s petition after two weeks, setting the next hearing date for after August 20.
