Photo Courtesy: Image by drewstewart from Pixabay | For representational purpose only
- Restricts pharmacies from offering clinic services without registration
- Pharmacist absenteeism unethical, strict legal action warned
- White coat, name tag now mandatory for pharmacists on duty
Dimapur, February 11 (MExN): The Nagaland Drugs Control Administration has directed all wholesale medicine dealers and retail pharmacies in the state to register on the Online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS) portal by June 30, 2026, failing which their business transactions pertaining to procurement and sale of medicines would be adversely affected from July 1, 2026.
In a notification dated February 5, the Deputy Drugs Controller and Controlling & Licensing Authority, DoHFW, Martemjen Longkumer said the order was in pursuance to a government notification dated May 13, 2024, and a subsequent public notice issued on June 11, 2024.
The order has also mandated that all retail pharmacies having a Registered Medical Practitioner for patient consultation on their premises must either register their firm as a clinic under the Nagaland Healthcare Establishment Act 1997 and Rules 2022, or discontinue the practice forthwith to avoid legal action from competent authority.
The order further stated that all registered pharmacists engaged in retail pharmacies are duty-bound to physically supervise the dispensing of all medicines within their respective firms, as declared in their notarised affidavit undertaking. “Absenteeism will be considered as unethical and violation of the undertaking executed by themselves warranting strict legal action,” the order cautioned.
Additionally, all registered pharmacists have been directed to wear white coats or aprons with name tags bearing their Council Registration Number while on duty for easy public identification.
The authorities have instructed all stakeholders to treat the directives as important and priority.
