HISTORY OF PHARMACY LEGISLATION IN INDIA
INTRODUCTION
In the early part of the 20th century, there was practically no legislative control on drugs as well as on the profession of pharmacy. Although the Opium Act, 1878, the poison act 1919 and the dangerous drugs act, 1930 were in force, these were specific in nature and grossly inadequate in controlling the chaotic conditions prevailing at that time. In 1927, a resolutions was passed by the council of states to recommend to the Governor General in Council to usage all Provisional Governments to take immediate steps to control indiscriminate use of drugs and to legislate for the standardization of the preparation and sale of drugs. The government of India in pursuance to the resolution appointed a committee known as the Drugs Enquiry Committee in 1928.
Government of India on 11th August 1930, appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Late Col. R.N.Chopra to see into the problems of Pharmacy in India and recommend the measures to be taken. This committee published its report in 1931. It was reported that there was no recognized specialized profession of Pharmacy. A set of people known as compounders were filling the gap.
The purpose of Pharmaceutical legislation- To ensure that the patients receive drugs of required quality, tested and evaluated for safety and efficacy for their intended result.