The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has issued a directive to all state governments, reiterating the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment that establishes the PCI’s exclusive authority over pharmacy education in India. This circular was issued on April 1, 2025.
The directive references the Supreme Court’s ruling in Pharmacy Council of India v. Dr. SK Toshniwal Educational Trusts Vidarbha Institute of Pharmacy and Ors. 2020 SCC Online SC 296, dated March 5th, 2020. This judgment clarified the jurisdictional conflict between the PCI and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in regulating pharmacy education.
The Supreme Court recognized the Pharmacy Act, 1948, as a “complete code” in the field of pharmacy, establishing the PCI as the sole authority for regulating pharmacy education and profession. The court held that the PCI, composed of experts in pharmacy, has exclusive jurisdiction over all aspects of pharmacy education, including course approval, curriculum, student and teacher eligibility, examinations, and registration.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Pharmacy Act, being a special law, prevails over the AICTE Act, 1987, in matters related to pharmacy education.
The judgment mandates that institutions imparting pharmacy education must adhere to the norms and regulations set by the PCI.
The PCI has issued this circular for the information of all state governments and has emphasized that these courses are independent health oriented courses.
This judgment reinforces the PCI’s role as the primary regulatory body for pharmacy education in India. Pharmacy institutions must comply with PCI’s norms and regulations to ensure the validity and recognition of their degrees and diplomas. The ruling provides clarity on the regulatory landscape for pharmacy education, ensuring that institutions follow uniform standards set by the PCI.
