Karnataka Govt announced Appointment of Four Pharmacy Inspectors

The Karnataka government has announced the selection of four pharmacy inspectors by the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC). On April 17, 2023, the appointment was made to inspect the state's pharmacy outlets to determine whether chemists are physically present and their registration details are displayed. The appointment is made on a contract basis under Section 26 A of the Pharmacy Act 1948 and clause of subsection (2) of Section 46 of the Pharmacy Act 1948. Vinay TM, KSPC registration number: 32130 from Bengaluru, is one of the four inspectors.

Mallikarjun from Kalaburgi district has KSPC registration number 50827. Kirti Somashekar, Topagi, from Bengaluru, has the KSPC registration number 58154. Chayadevi B from Bengaluru is the fourth. Pharmabiz reported in April that Gangadhar Yavagal, president of KSPC, stated that the position of pharmacy inspector is on a contract basis but would require full-time service. They will be trained by experts before beginning their inspections of outlets for the presence of chemists. Every candidate for this position must have a degree in pharmacy from an established university that is recognised by the Pharmacy Council of India.

The incumbent must be a registered pharmacist, a Karnataka resident with the required qualifications, and have at least five years of experience in the profession of pharmacy, whether in community or hospital practise, regulatory or industry practise, or academia. It is also critical that the candidate obtain registration from the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council. The responsibility of the inspectors would be to ensure the right drug to the right patient is being dispensed. They will need to take utmost responsibility to ensure that drugs are dispensed by only qualified and registered pharmacists, he added.

Also, as per the Pharmacy Act any person purposefully obstructing an Inspector in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by or under this Act or any rules should be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine not exceeding Rs. 1,000 or with both. Beyond that every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), said KSPC.