A pharmacist must have the minimum qualifications (Diploma in Pharmacy [D. Pharm]) from a pharmacy institute that is recognized by the Pharmacy Council of India before he/she can obtain a registration certificate. A person who holds a degree of D. Pharm. or Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) (graduate) can practice in any sector of pharmacy (South Med Rev. 2009 Apr;2(1):11-4). 

Chapter 4 of the Pharmacy Act has the provisions for the registration of the pharmacist.

31. Qualifications for entry on first register: Any person who is eighteen years old and resides or carries on the business or profession of pharmacy in the State is entitled to get his name entered in the Register if he

1. holds a degree or diploma in pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry or a chemist and druggist diploma, or
2. holds any other degree than a degree in pharmacy or pharmaceutical chemistry, and has been engaged in the compounding of drugs in a hospital or dispensary or other place in which drugs are regularly dispensed on prescriptions of medical practitioners for three years, or
3. has passed an examination recognized as adequate for compounders or dispensers, or has been engaged in the compounding of drugs in a hospital or dispensary or other place in which drugs are regularly dispensed on prescription of medical practitioners for not less than five years.

“37. Restoration to register: The State Council may at any time for reasons appearing to it sufficient order that upon payment of the prescribed fee the name of a person removed from the register shall be restored thereto: Provided that where an appeal against such removal has been rejected by the State Government, an order under this section shall not take effect until it has been confirmed by the State Government.”