Mysuru: Renting out a D. Pharm licence is illegal and will attract heavy fines and criminal prosecution besides immediate cancellation of the licence, Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has warned.

Legal Violations and Consequences Violation of the Pharmacy Act, 1948: Under Section 42(1) of the Act, only a registered pharmacist can physically dispense or compound medicines on a prescription. Allowing an uncertified or unqualified person to run a shop using a rented certificate violates this mandate.

Violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: Retail drug licences are granted under the strict condition that a qualified registered pharmacist must be physically present during all working hours to supervise the sale and storage of drugs.

Renters will face imprisonment and fines for unauthorised operations and registered pharmacists involved in such schemes risk permanent cancellation of their registration certificates and the State Pharmacy Councils can suspend or permanently cancel the registration of a pharmacist who is found guilty of professional misconduct or lending their certificate for dual/fake employment.

The drug authorities can cancel the licence of the medical store owner and penalise them for operating an illegal pharmacy without the physical presence of the qualified person.