Jammu, August 8th: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted that the adoption of the Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will eliminate uncertainties regarding the status of individuals registered or qualified under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act. Mandaviya’s remarks came during his response to the Bill’s discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday, when it was presented for deliberation and approval.
The Lok Sabha successfully passed the bill through a voice vote. Once ratified by the Rajya Sabha, this legislation will permit individuals who are qualified or registered under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act to secure registration as pharmacists under the Pharmacy Act. Registration under the Pharmacy Act is obligatory for all pharmacists across the nation.
Mandaviya emphasized that this amendment would pave the way for increased employment opportunities for the youth of J&K. He noted, “Following the changes post Article 370, this move will create new avenues for government employment in J&K, a region that now also benefits from tele-consultation facilities.”
According to the statement of objectives and reasons outlined in the Amendment Bill, any individual whose name has been enlisted in the pharmacist registry maintained under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act of 2011, or possesses the relevant qualifications (medical assistant and pharmacists), will be automatically considered as registered in the pharmacist registry established and maintained under Chapter IV of the Pharmacy Act.
