Karnataka reiterates legal provisions on drug dispensing at PHCs

The Karnataka government has restated the legal provisions governing the dispensing of medicines in Primary Health Centers (PHCs) by referring to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

According to a circular issued in this regard, medicines prescribed at PHCs can be dispensed by Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) directly or through a nurse under their personal supervision, in accordance with Rule 123 read in Entry 5 of Schedule K to the Rules. Since PHCs are managed by RMPs, they are allowed to dispense medicines to their own patients without availing the services of a registered pharmacist under the conditional exemption provided in the Rules.

The circular also refers to Rule 123 read with Entry 23 of Schedule K, which allows multi-purpose health workers attached to PHCs and sub-centres, nurses, community health officers (CHOs), auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and lady health visitors to dispense essential medicines provided under health and family welfare schemes of the Union and State government.

In this context, reference is made to the list of essential medicines applicable to health sub-centres and Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers at the primary healthcare level, published by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March 2020.

The government has clarified that pharmacy clerks are not necessarily required in such facilities solely for the dispensing of medicines covered by these provisions. However, pharmacy clerks may be assigned once or twice a week to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including proper storage and maintenance of medication records.

All State authorities have been directed to take into account legal provisions while implementing medicine dispensing practices at PHCs and sub-centres.