Namit has completed his diploma in pharmacy from a premier institute and wants to start wholesale Drug business. He seeks to get registered himself as wholesale drug dealer in State Drugs Standard Control Organization. E

To start a pharmacy business, a drug license is required. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization and State Drugs Standard Control Organization control the issue of drug license in India. Drug license for setting up a pharmacy business is usually under the purview of the State Drugs Standard Control Organization and the list of State Drugs Standard Control Organization. Normally, The Drug Control Organization issues two types of licenses for operating a pharmacy business. One the Retail Drug License (RDL) issued to run a general chemist shop. The other is the Wholesale Drug License (WDL) issued to persons or agencies engaged in drugs and medicines. In most states, a retail drug license is only issued to persons who possess a degree or diploma in pharmacy from a recognized institute or university after depositing the requisite fee. But this condition is relaxed in case of procuring a Wholesale Drug license (WDL). The following are minimum requirements for obtaining drug license or starting a pharmacy in India: Area: The minimum area of 10 square meter is required to start a medical shop or pharmacy or wholesale outlet. In case, the pharmacy business combines retail and wholesale, a minimum of 15 square meter is required Storage Facility: The store must have refrigerator & air conditioner in the premises. According to the labelling specifications certain drugs like vaccines, sera, insulin injections etc., are required to be stored in the refrigerator. Technical Staff Wholesale: The sale of drug by wholesale shall be made either in the presence of registered pharmacist or in the presence of a competent person who shall be a graduate with 1 year experience in dealing in drugs or a person who has passed Secondary School Leaving Certificate with 4 years' experience in dealing in drugs, specially approved by the department of drug control for the purpose. Retail: The sale of drug by retail must be made in the presence of registered pharmacist approved by the department, registered pharmacist is required throughout the working hours.