The All-Meghalaya Pharmacist Association (AMPA) has formally petitioned the Chief Minister for an urgent meeting to address critical failures in the state’s pharmacy sector. In a memorandum dated April 30, 2026, the association warned that current inconsistencies in service rules and the lack of strict Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) implementation are severely weakening the state’s professional healthcare structure.
A primary concern raised is the widespread illegal operation of retail and wholesale pharmacies. The AMPA highlighted a dangerous trend of “license renting,” where establishments operate without mandatory registered pharmacists on-site. They attributed this trend to a weak inspection mechanism and a lack of consistent enforcement, which they claim poses a direct and immediate threat to patient safety and public health.
To resolve these issues, the association is advocating for the establishment of a dedicated Directorate for Pharmacy to ensure focused governance and regulation. They emphasized that without a dedicated independent body and corrected service rules, the administration of pharmacy services will remain uncoordinated, potentially leading to “serious consequences” for healthcare delivery across Meghalaya.