In many parts of India, the neighborhood medical store is often the first point of healthcare contact. Patients walk in expecting professional guidance—but in numerous cases, the qualified pharmacist who is legally required to be present is nowhere to be found. This silent gap is becoming a serious public health concern.
By law, retail pharmacies must operate under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist. Rule 65 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and Section 42 of the Pharmacy Act clearly mandate the physical presence of a qualified professional during dispensing.
Yet enforcement on the ground remains inconsistent. Reports and studies have long indicated that many pharmacies function with untrained attendants handling medicines, sometimes with the pharmacist only “on paper.”
The risks are not merely technical—they are clinical. Incorrect dispensing, poor storage, and lack of patient counseling can lead to treatment failure, adverse drug reactions, and even life-threatening errors. Regulators themselves have warned that untrained handling of medicines can potentially cause serious harm.
Economic factors also play a role. Some pharmacy owners avoid hiring full-time pharmacists due to salary costs, choosing instead to rely on less-qualified staff. At the same time, high patient demand for quick, over-the-counter solutions keeps the system running despite regulatory gaps.
Strengthening inspections, enforcing pharmacist presence, and improving public awareness are essential steps forward.
A pharmacy is not just a shop—it is a healthcare touchpoint. Without a pharmacist, the system risks reducing medicine safety to mere retail convenience, and that is a price public health cannot afford.
MBH/PS