30/07/2026
Arunachal Govt Orders Statewide Scrutiny of Pharmacy Licences and Drug Retail Outlets
Itanagar, July 30:
The Directorate of Health Services (Drugs Control Administration), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, has directed a statewide scrutiny of pharmacy establishments to ensure that medicine retail outlets comply with legal, professional, and quality standards.
In an order issued on July 30, Assistant Drugs Controller-cum-Controlling Authority Gebomb Tayeng instructed all Zonal Licensing Authorities (ZLAs) and District Drug Controller Officers (DCOs) to conduct inspections of medicine retail sale outlets under their respective jurisdictions.
The order mandates officials to verify the ownership and legal documents of pharmacies, ensure the appointment of registered pharmacists, inspect premises for adequate space, storage facilities, and infrastructure, and confirm compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, along with applicable State rules.
Authorities have also been directed to carry out detailed regulatory inspections, including verification of valid drug licences, inspection of medicine storage conditions such as cold-chain requirements, examination of stock registers, invoices, and purchase records, and detection of expired, counterfeit, or unapproved medicines. Officials will also verify pharmacists’ qualifications, registration with the State Pharmacy Council, and ensure that registered pharmacists are present during pharmacy operating hours wherever required.
The Directorate has asked all concerned officers to submit their inspection reports by August 14, 2026, for strict compliance.
According to the order, the primary objective of the exercise is to ensure that medicines sold across Arunachal Pradesh are safe, effective, of good quality, and dispensed only by qualified professionals, thereby strengthening public health and patient safety.