The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) cancelled trade licenses of ten pharmacy outlets in Ahmadabad for violating the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act and Rules for dispensing drugs without the presence of pharmacists. Apart from cancelling the licences of the retailers, the FDCA also approached the state pharmacy council to cancel the registration of the pharmacists involved in the renting their licences to the retailers.

During the investigation it was found that these shops were being run on licences rented to them by registered pharmacists working in the corporate in violation of the rules. Following the inspection, the drug regulators have already initiated legal action sending a strong message to all the stakeholders.

As per Rule 65(15)(c) of D&C Act 1940 & Rules 1945, sale of scheduled drugs can be made on the prescription of registered medical practitioner only under the supervision of a registered pharmacists. Dr H G Koshia, commissioner of Gujarat FDCA informed that they had a high level meeting with all the FDCA officials to have a contingency plan that will focus on spot inspection across the state to nab the wrong doers, while he also said that they are also planning to conduct awareness campaign to highlight this issue among the stakeholders.

“It has come to our notice that pharmacists engaged in corporate jobs and registered as a pharmacists under the state PCI are renting their licenses to retail shops which is unethical and illegal. We brought up the issue of misuse of the registration certificates to the PCI's attention and will also be doing a joint assessment of this situation as our aim remains to be focussed on ensuring best healthcare services to our patients,” Dr Koshia stressed.