Changes to drug law mooted

Medical shop-owners and Tamil Nadu Pharmacy Council members say amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945 is the need of the hour.

The rules stipulate that a stockist/wholesaler, who applies for licences should have passed class XII, have 160 sq.ft of space and should have 5 years experience in selling drugs.

“The stockist/wholesaler does not have to be a qualified pharmacist. The rules need to be amended,” T. Ilango, registrar of the council said.

Currently, though shops may have a pharmacist on record, they generally come only to sign the prescription register.

“The pharmacist should be in the medical shop to give the prescribed drug. All medicines should be sold with a bill and by the pharmacist, who must sign the prescription register,” he said.

The Council has also proposed to issue ID cards to registered pharmacists.