Kohima, August 8, 2025 — The Nagaland State Pharmacy Council has issued a stern public warning against violations of the Pharmacy Act, 1948, cautioning that offenders will face strict action, including hefty fines and imprisonment.
In an official statement, the Council highlighted provisions under Sections 26A(3), 41, and 42 of the Act, underscoring that obstructing a pharmacy inspector during the course of duty is a punishable offense. The Council noted that such obstruction could attract fines of up to ₹1 lakh, as per its latest enforcement notice.
Key Violations & Penalties
- Obstruction of Pharmacy Inspectors (Section 26A(3)) — Any person who prevents an inspector from carrying out an inspection can face a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.
- Impersonating a Registered Pharmacist (Section 41) — First-time offenders can face a fine of ₹1 lakh, while repeat violations may lead to up to three months’ imprisonment, a ₹2 lakh fine, or both.
- Dispensing by Unregistered Persons (Section 42) — Individuals without valid registration found dispensing medicines face similar penalties to impersonation, alongside the possibility of license cancellation.
Enforcement Already Underway
The warning follows recent crackdowns in several districts:
- In Niuland, 15 pharmacy licenses were revoked for violations of Section 42.
- In Dimapur and Chümoukedima, the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare cancelled 24 retail pharmacy licenses for non-compliance with the Act.
Officials have reiterated that enforcement will continue across the state to ensure that only qualified, registered pharmacists operate pharmacies.
Industry Concerns
The All Nagaland Pharmacy Association (ANPA) has raised alarms over the potential fallout of strict enforcement:
- According to ANPA, Nagaland currently has only 278 registered pharmacists against 1,157 licensed pharmacies.
- The association warns that this gap could force mass closures, disrupting medicine supply, especially in rural areas.
- ANPA has called for a policy reassessment to balance legal compliance with healthcare access.
Council’s Stand
The Nagaland State Pharmacy Council maintains that strict adherence to the Act is essential to safeguard public health and maintain professional standards in the dispensing of medicines. It has urged all pharmacy operators to:
- Ensure they employ only registered pharmacists.
- Cooperate with inspections.
- Avoid any practices that could amount to impersonation or unauthorized dispensing.
Public Advisory
The Council has urged citizens to verify the credentials of pharmacists before purchasing medicines and to report any suspected violations.
“The Pharmacy Act exists to protect the public. Compliance is not optional — it’s the law,” the Council stated.
