'Playing With Life Of Citizens': Supreme Court Asks Bihar Govt. About Steps Taken To Stop Fake Pharmacists From Functioning

"What steps are taken to stop fake pharmacists from functioning?", The Supreme Court asked the State of Bihar while considering a Special Leave Petition that raised this issue.

One Mukesh Kumar had filed a Public Interest Litigation before the Patna High Court in which he alleged that in various Govt. Hospitals, the persons, who are not a registered Pharmacist are being allowed to discharge the function of a Pharmacist. At some places, even the Clerks, Staff Nurse etc. have been assigned with the duty to be performed only by a registered Pharmacists, the plea had alleged.

This petition was disposed of by the High Court recording the submission that the Bihar State Pharmacy Council constituted a fact finding committee and its report was already forwarded to the State Government. The court had also clarified that only such those persons, who are eligible and fulfill the requisite conditions, can be registered with the Bihar State Pharmacy Council.

While considering the Special Leave Petition filed against this order, the Apex Court bench noted that there is nothing on record about what further steps are taken by the State Government to stop the fake pharmacists functioning in the State.

"It cannot be disputed that by permitting the fake pharmacists to run the medical stores and/or functioning, it will be playing with the life of the citizens. The State ought to have been vigilant to curb and stop the fake pharmacists.", the bench of Justices MR Shah and MM Sundresh observed.

Posting the case on 21st November 2022, the bench directed the State to file a counter affidavit explaining steps taken to stop the fake pharmacists from functioning.

Case: Mukesh Kumar vs State of Bihar | SLP(C) 8799/2020

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