New Delhi: The Indian drug regulator, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), has written to the Pharmacy Council of India and all state and union territory drug controllers to request that they make sure that pharmacists are physically present at retail medical outlets and that medications are sold under their direct supervision.

Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), demanded in a letter that retail pharmacies adhere to Regulation 65 and Section 42(a) of the Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Act 1945. In his letter, the drug regulator cited a letter from Mr. Suresh Khanna, National General Secretary, IPA, Mumbai, which raised concerns regarding the application of Section 42(a) of the Pharmacy Act of 1947 and Regulation 65 of the Medicines and Cosmetics Act of 1945 in retail pharmacies.

The letter dated March 9 asked the agencies to make sure that pharmacists are actually at retail pharmacies and drug stores and that they are directly in charge of the sale and distribution of medications. Additionally, it asked them to ensure that no prescription medication is sold or dispensed from the retail pharmacy without a valid and appropriate prescription.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/dcgi-says-medicines-should-be-sold-only-under-direct-supervision-of-pharmacists-in-retail-medical-stores/98744818 )