The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has issued guidelines outlining the inspection and affiliation fees applicable to new pharmacy institutions seeking approval for Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm.) and Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm.) courses.
The Council has been charging an “Inspection Fee” since January 2005 from new institutions approaching the PCI for approval. The fee structure is as follows:
- First Inspection (including a second inspection if required): ₹25,000 per course (either D.Pharm. or B.Pharm.).
- Additional Inspections (if required until approval is granted): ₹15,000 per inspection, per course.
The PCI clarifies that this Inspection Fee is in addition to the annual “Affiliation Fee,” which stands at ₹15,000 per course. Therefore, new institutions will be required to remit both fees.
Importantly, the circular states that once a new institution is granted approval by the Council, no further Inspection Fee will be levied for subsequent inspections related to the extension of approval. In such cases, only the annual Affiliation Fee of ₹15,000 per course will be applicable.
The PCI has requested that new institutions forward a Demand Draft (cheques will not be accepted) in favour of the “Pharmacy Council of India,” payable at New Delhi, for the following amounts:
- ₹25,000 as the Inspection Fee.
- ₹15,000 as the Affiliation Fee.
The Council has explicitly noted that the mere acceptance of the inspection fee and/or affiliation fee does not guarantee or ensure approval of the institution.
This announcement provides clarity to prospective pharmacy institutions regarding the financial requirements for seeking PCI approval, a crucial step for commencing pharmacy education in India.
