Karnataka reiterates legal provisions on drug dispensing at PHCs

The Karnataka government has restated the statutory provisions governing the dispensing of medicines at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), with reference 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 may be dispensed by Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) either directly or through a nurse under their personal supervision, in accordance with Rule 123 read with Entry 5 of Schedule K of the Rules. Since PHCs are managed by RMPs, they are permitted to dispense drugs to their own patients without engaging 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 multipurpose 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 supplied under Union and State government health and family welfare programmes.

The essential medicines list applicable to health sub-centres and PHC-level Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, published by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March 2020, has been cited in this regard.

The government has clarified that pharmacy officers are not mandatorily required at such facilities solely for dispensing medicines covered under these provisions. However, pharmacy officers may be deputed once or twice a week to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including proper storage and maintenance of drug records.

All State officials have been directed to take note of the legal provisions while implementing drug dispensing practices at PHCs and sub-centres.