Medicines Cannot Be Treated Like Agro-Chemicals: AIOCD Opposes PACS Drug Licence Proposal

New Delhi: The All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) has strongly opposed a proposal to grant restricted drug licences to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), raising serious concerns over public health, patient safety, and the integrity of India's drug regulatory framework.

This comes following a communication from the Ministry of Cooperation, which, through DO letter No. 11016/66/2025-CTP dated 11.12.2025, requested the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to “examine the possibility of extending a restricted license under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) to enable them to operate as PM Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).” The communication also requested that “an advisory in this regard be issued to the States so that PACS-based PMBJKs can be licensed and operationalised in a streamlined manner across States/UTs.”

It further referred to Rule 62A and 62B of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which govern the conditions for granting restricted licences in Forms 20A and 21A, noting that such licences may be issued “subject to the discretion of the licensing authority to dealers or persons only in respect of drugs (Schedule K) whose sale does not require the supervision of a qualified person.”

In response to the proposal, the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) issued a strong statement opposing the move, calling it a serious threat to patient safety and the country’s established drug regulatory system. The organisation argued that medicines require professional oversight and should not be treated in the same manner as agricultural products handled by cooperative societies.

AIOCD President J. S. Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal stressed that dispensing medicines without the supervision of trained professionals could lead to serious public health risks.

AIOCD President J. S. Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal stated

“Medicines are life-saving products. They cannot be treated at par with agricultural chemicals. Drug dispensing must strictly remain under the supervision of trained and registered pharmacists. Any dilution would amount to a risky experiment with public health.

The organisation also pointed out that Rules 62A and 62B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 were historically framed only for exceptional circumstances. At present, there is an adequate number of licensed medical stores and registered pharmacists available across urban as well as rural areas of the country. Therefore, large-scale issuance of restricted licenses is neither necessary nor justified.

AIOCD President J. S. Shinde and General Secretary Rajiv Singhal further emphasized:

"PACS institutions primarily deal in fertilizers, pesticides, and agro-chemicals. Storing medicines in such premises poses serious risks of cross-contamination and improper storage conditions. This directly affects patient safety."

The AIOCD further cautioned that allowing medicines to be dispensed without qualified pharmacists could lead to medication errors and misuse of drugs, particularly antibiotics. Such practices, the organisation noted, may aggravate the growing challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance, which is already a major public health concern in India and globally.

In this regard, they added, "Dispensing medicines through non-pharmacists could increase misuse of antibiotics, medication errors, and contribute to national challenges such as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)."

Calling for immediate policy reconsideration, the association has urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to review the proposal in the larger public interest and ensure that the objectives of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 are upheld.

AIOCD has demanded

• The proposal to grant restricted drug licenses to PACS should be withdrawn immediately.

• No general advisory should be issued to States/UTs under Rules 62A and 62B for licensing PACS.

• Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras should operate only from duly licensed pharmacy premises under the supervision of registered pharmacists.

In a formal communication dated March 4, 2026, the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD) wrote to Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, expressing strong opposition to the proposal to grant restricted drug licences to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).

In the letter, the organization stated, "Permitting PACS to operate under restricted licenses will make regulatory monitoring extremely difficult, will weaken accountability mechanisms, and compromise the integrity of the drug control system. This may set a dangerous precedent for further dilution of pharmaceutical regulations. Therefore, we request immediate reconsideration and withdrawal of the proposal in the interest of public health and regulatory discipline."

In the larger public health interest and regulatory integrity, it is strongly requested that:

i. The proposal to grant restricted drug licenses to PACS be rejected.

ii. No general advisory be issued to States/UTs for licensing PACS under redundant outdated Rules 62A & 62B.

iii. PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra be permitted to operate only through licensed pharmacy premises under the supervision of registered pharmacists.

iv. The sanctity and public health and objectives of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act be strictly protected.