Feedback sought from J&K among other State, UT Govts
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Dec 1: In a major reform aimed at restructuring pharmacy services across the country, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has written to Jammu and Kashmir among all State and Union Territory Governments-seeking comments on the newly drafted Pharmacist Recruitment, Promotion and Service Regulations, 2025.
PCI Registrar-cum-Secretary Anil Mittal has circulated the draft regulations to the Principal Secretaries of Health and Medical Education Departments for feedback within three months of the notification.
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The comprehensive draft, running over 15 pages, lays out a nationally uniform framework for recruitment, promotion avenues, job responsibilities and cadre structure for pharmacists under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Once approved and notified, the regulations will apply to all States and UTs.
The PCI notes that Pharmacy Services in India presently lack a standardized national structure, resulting in variations across States in recruitment rules, career progression, postings and functional responsibilities. The 120th Central Council meeting of PCI, held on 31 May and 1 June 2025, approved the new regulations to bring uniformity, strengthen patient-care systems and redefine the role of pharmacists as frontline healthcare providers.
Key features of the proposed Regulations include six-tier cadre structure for Pharmacy Services; recruitment & promotion policies and defined job responsibilities.
Under Schedule-I, the regulations propose a clear hierarchy with defined pay scales (7th CPC), which include Pharmacy Officer – Level 7; Senior Pharmacy Officer – Level 8; Assistant Chief Pharmacy Officer – Level 9; Chief Pharmacy Officer – Level 10 (Group A); District Pharmacy Officer/Deputy Director (Pharmacy) – Level 11 and Joint Director (Pharmacy) – Level 12.
Two specialized posts-Drug Information Pharmacy Officer and Clinical Pharmacy Officer-are also included under Schedule-II.
For recruitment & promotion policies, the regulations provide a structured system. Pharmacy Officers will be recruited directly through Diploma/Degree holders registered with respective State Pharmacy Councils. Promotions to higher posts-from Senior Pharmacy Officer up to Joint Director-will be strictly based on service tenure, seniority, and educational qualifications, including degree requirements for upper-level posts. Existing pharmacists will retain their current status but their designations will be updated in line with the new cadre.
Schedules IV and V detail extensive responsibilities for every cadre, aiming to expand pharmacists’ professional role in both hospital and public health systems.
Key duties include dispensing and counseling services, managing drug stores and ensuring compliance with NLEM, monitoring adverse drug reactions, conducting prescription audits, implementing quality assurance practices, supervising staff and supporting public health programmes, managing district-level pharmaceutical supply chains and participating in procurement committees, drug policy implementation and hospital management.
For higher posts-District Pharmacy Officer, Deputy Director, and Joint Director-the responsibilities expand to include policymaking, oversight of procurement, supervision of pharmacy cadres, regulatory compliance and representation in key committees like Drug & Therapeutics Committees.
Pertinent to mention that Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory currently follows a mixed structure for Pharmacy Services under Health & Medical Education Department. The introduction of national-level uniform rules is expected to streamline recruitment in health institutions across districts, create clear promotion pathways for pharmacists, which many in J&K have been demanding for decades, strengthen hospital drug storage, procurement and distribution systems and enhance patient care through clinical and community pharmacy services.
The PCI has requested all States and UTs, including J&K, to submit their observations within three months as required under Section 10(3) of the Pharmacy Act, 1948. After receiving comments, the Council will finalize the regulations for notification in the Official Gazette, following which they will come into force.
Official sources told the Excelsior that J&K Government will study the draft in detail before submitting its comments.
Stakeholders in J&K’s health sector-especially Pharmacists-are keenly watching the developments, expecting the new rules to bring long-awaited recognition, structured service benefits and clearer professional roles.
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