SC Slams Uncertainty in PCI's Annual Approval System for Pharmacy Colleges

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has raised a fundamental question over the way pharmacy education is regulated in India, flagging the uncertainty created by the Pharmacy Council of Indi's (PCI) year-to-year approval system and warning that such an unpredictable regulatory regime could come at the expense of students and the quality of pharmacy education.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana questioned the rationale behind granting year-to-year approvals to pharmacy colleges, particularly when institutions already possess the required infrastructure and equipment.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by the PCI relating to pharmacy colleges.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Centre. During the hearing, the bench said that unpredictability in the approval process for pharmacy institutions was undesirable for students and suggested that extraneous considerations were adversely affecting the quality of pharmacy education.

"Sometimes the machines and equipment are also of a higher standard... You can do it for B. Pharma, M. Pharma or any other diploma which the college is offering. But you cannot say that the B.Pharma course will have a licence for one year and then again for the second year," Justice Bagchi stated.

The solicitor general acknowledged that the present system was creating uncertainty for students.

"From the college's point of view, it becomes absolutely unpredictable for a student. Uncertainty is not desirable. But let me speak to them and come back to you. I have understood," Mehta told the bench.

The law officer informed the bench that the Centre was working on a new legislative framework to replace the existing regime.

"The Bill is pending. I cannot make a suo motu statement. It might come in this session as well."

"It is on similar lines as the National Medical Commission. It would be the National Pharmacy Commission," he said.

Responding to the submission, the CJI said the court's primary concern was the regulatory framework governing pharmacy education, reports PTI.

"Our concern is only that much. Under the new statute, Parliament may prescribe anything. We do not care."

"If they do not want to run colleges, let them close them. We are not concerned about that. If you can bring a new avatar, a new legislative framework, that is fine," the CJI said.

The law officer said the bill may be presented in Parliament.

"But the elected people have their own subjectivity. I put it as modestly and as mildly as possible because this situation in the present form is creating a lot of problems," he said.

The bench said that it would defer further consideration of the matter in view of the ongoing Parliament session.

"We can take it up after two weeks. Parliament is in session. Or we can take it after August 20. Let us see," the CJI said.