Kohima, June 21: The All Nagaland Pharmacy Association (ANPA) has appealed to the state government to reconsider the strict enforcement of policies requiring registered pharmacists at all licensed pharmacies, citing a critical manpower shortage that could cripple access to medicines across large parts of the state.
Addressing a press conference in Kohima, ANPA president Zhapuvilie Yashü and general secretary Limayanger Jamir expressed support for the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Pharmacy Act, 1948, but said implementation must be practical and phased, not abrupt.
“Enforcing the rule without practical alternatives will throw the public health system into disarray,” warned Jamir.
📊 Stark Numbers: 1,157 Pharmacies, Just 26 Available Pharmacists
According to ANPA, while Nagaland has over 1,100 licensed pharmacies, only 278 registered pharmacists exist in the state. Of these, 252 are employed in government health units, leaving just 26 for the entire private sector.
- Entire districts like Shamator and Meluri have no registered pharmacists.
- Phek has just 2 pharmacists for 34 pharmacies.
- Even Kohima, the state capital, is at risk of losing multiple operational pharmacies.
🏥 Healthcare at Risk, Says ANPA
The association stressed that full enforcement would trigger mass closures of pharmacies, especially in rural and remote areas, severely affecting medicine availability and basic healthcare services.
“If the government can authorise nurses with three-month training to dispense medicines in health centres, why not allow temporary provisions for pharmacies too?” ANPA questioned.
They clarified that they do not oppose the law, but request a state-specific, phased rollout that factors in the lack of pharmacy institutes and trained personnel in Nagaland.
📢 Repeated Appeals Ignored
ANPA said it has approached the Principal Director, Health Commissioner, Health Minister, and even submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, but no relief has been granted so far.
Licensing authority began issuing show-cause notices and cancellation orders to non-compliant pharmacies from May 2025, despite licenses being renewed until 2028.
🧑⚖️ Government Says Enough Time Given
In response, Tiatoshi Amer, Controlling & Licensing Authority under the Health & Family Welfare Department, said that the department had issued multiple notices and verbal reminders before acting.
He added that:
“There are over 300 registered unemployed pharmacists in the state. The government cannot delay this any further as public safety is the top priority.”
He also said that vacancies in government health units are being regularly filled through the NPSC recruitment process.
🛑 ANPA’s Final Plea
Calling the situation “unsustainable,” ANPA reiterated:
“Until we have adequate manpower and our own pharmacy colleges, we urge the government to allow pharmacies to operate without disruption.”
The association promised continued efforts to appoint registered pharmacists if granted a reasonable extension.
The standoff underscores a larger healthcare infrastructure gap in Nagaland and highlights the need for urgent institutional investment in pharmacy education and training to meet national regulatory standards.