The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has directed all state pharmacy councils to strictly implement the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. A circular to this effect was issued on 25th October, 2023.
The circular states that the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 was notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice 11th August, 2023. It therefore calls on all state pharmacy councils to strictly implement this Act.
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 has granted the central government the following additional powers for adjudication of penalties under the Pharmacy Act, 1948:
- the manner of holding inquiry and imposing penalty
- the form and manner of preferring appeal
The Jan Vishwas Act has introduced a provision for adjudication of penalties under the Pharmacy Act. The provision empowers the central government to authorise the President of the State Council, where the alleged violation is committed, to be the adjudicating officer for holding an inquiry and impose penalty.
Further, there will no longer be an executive committee of the state council.
