Centre to move Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023 among 3 Bills in Rajya Sabha today

Digital Desk: On Thursday, the Central Government will introduce three bills in the Rajya Sabha, including the Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023. During the introduction of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, two bills—Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023—will be submitted for consideration and adoption.

The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 will be introduced in the Upper House first by Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal to govern the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners as well as the process for the Election Commission to conduct business.

In order to alter the Pharmacy Act of 1948, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will later introduce and propose the Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for discussion and passage. The Lok Sabha already approved the Bill on August 7.

To practice pharmacy in India, one must register under the Pharmacy Act of 1948. The Bill examines the addition of a new section 32C, which has a unique provision about individuals registered or qualified under the 2011 Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act. According to the bill, anyone who is registered as a chemist under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act, 2011, or who meets the requirements outlined in that act, will be regarded to be registered under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

The applicant must file an application for registration within a year of the amendment taking effect and pay the required fee in order to qualify. Later, Union Minister Arjun Meghwal would introduce the Repealing and Amending Bill, 2023 in the Rajya Sabha for discussion and approval in order to repeal certain laws and amend another law. 

Earlier, on July 28, the Lok Sabha approved the Bill. The Bill aims to repeal 65 laws that are no longer in use or have been rendered unnecessary by other laws. The Factoring Regulation Act, of 2011, also receives a minor drafting correction. 24 legislation would be repealed, according to the First Schedule of the Bill. 

There are two Acts from before 1947 and 16 amending Acts overall.

It is to be noted that 41 appropriation bills are listed as being repealed in the Second Schedule of the bill. 18 of these are appropriations acts for the railroads. From 2013 through 2017, these Acts were passed.