As a step towards streamlining pharmacist's registrations and renewals in an effective manner, Madhya Pradesh State Pharmacy Council (MPPC) is planning to make registrations online through its new portal likely to be launched in January, 2016.

It has also further extended the date for renewals for a period of 120 days as around 13,000 renewals of pharmacists stand pending as of today.

The council as of today boasts of 46,000 registrations. A fee of Rs.3,000 is charged for one time registration and Rs.500 is charged one time for five years by the council for the renewals.

Renewal is mandatory under section 34(1) of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 failing which the names of the pharmacist concerned will be struck off from the pharmacist register. As per official sources, cancellations may be done if the council does not receive due response as per the law.

This, according to official sources, among other reasons for non-renewals is also attributed to the fact that pharmacists have not updated their respective professional addresses with the council. Other reasons attributed are pharmacist's transfer to other states, professional compulsion, death and in some cases lack of official correspondences on the part of pharmacist.

According to a MPPC official, "Time has been given to ensure renewals happen in a timely and effective manner. For renewals of registrations, pharmacists should furnish the following documents like original registration certificate issued by this council, identity card issued by this council, photocopy of the registration certificate, residence proof in case of change of address and renewal form to be filled by the candidate (available in the council office).