By - Imlisanen Jamir
Over the past few months, pharmacy closures have become headline news in Nagaland. In April, 54 pharmacies in Mokokchung were shut down. More recently, 15 more in Niuland lost their licences. The state’s reason is clear: these establishments were operating without registered pharmacists, in violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Pharmacy Act.
Public safety is the centre of this action. Medicines are not ordinary goods. Their misuse, especially without proper oversight, can lead to antibiotic resistance, addiction, or worse. Enforcing the law in this sector is not just about ticking regulatory boxes—it’s about ensuring that the sick and vulnerable receive safe, qualified care.
The Nagaland Drugs Control Department, which has long been understaffed and under-resourced, is finally carrying out the mandate it has always held. That is necessary and overdue. But the backlash is growing.
Pharmacy associations have responded by calling for a more phased approach. In statements made over the past weeks, they argue that many of the closed pharmacies have been operating for years without issue, and that sudden closures disrupt access to essential medicines, especially in areas where public health services are weak or absent. Some associations have appealed to the government to extend compliance deadlines and to offer training or certification pathways for those willing to regularise their operations.
They also point to what they claim is a shortage of registered pharmacists in the state—suggesting that the rules, though important, may be difficult to implement immediately without creating supply gaps. Whether or not this shortage is as severe as claimed, their point reflects a tension between regulatory enforcement and the realities on the ground.
But there can be no compromise when it comes to public safety. Regulations in the pharmaceutical sector exist for a reason. If the law requires qualified professionals to oversee the sale of medicines, then that is the standard that must be upheld. Any other approach risks normalising shortcuts that endanger lives.
That said, enforcement must be part of a broader public health plan. If the government expects full compliance, it must also build capacity—through education, recruitment, and systems that make it possible for pharmacies to meet legal requirements without shutting down overnight. Clear communication, phased implementation, and state support are not concessions—they are necessary for effective, lasting reform.
Nagaland cannot afford a healthcare vacuum. And public safety cannot wait. Both realities must be held together. This crackdown is a step forward—but the next steps will determine whether it strengthens the system or simply exposes its cracks.
Comments can be sent to imlisanenjamir@gmail.com
