Health Minister Balbir Singh assures chemists, pharmacists of action on key issues
By Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh | September 2, 2026
Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh has assured chemists and pharmacists of resolving their key concerns relating to drug regulation, online portals and pharmacy-related requirements.
The assurance came during a detailed meeting held at the Punjab Secretariat between the Punjab Chemists Association (Regd.), affiliated with the All India Organisation of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD), and the Health Minister along with senior officials. The nearly two-hour meeting focused on a range of issues affecting the chemist and pharmacy profession in Punjab.
According to the Association, the Minister gave several important assurances during the meeting:
-
ABDM Portal: Its implementation will not be proceeded with until the concerns raised by the Association are satisfactorily resolved.
-
Punjab Drug Policy 2021: Necessary amendments will be made, with the required notification expected within a week.
-
XLN Portal: The Association was assured that the old XLN Portal would be reintroduced.
-
ONDLS Portal: Concerns will be taken up with the Central Government, while its implementation will remain on hold for the time being.
-
Pharmacy Portal: Documents and data already available with the Punjab State Pharmacy Council will not be unnecessarily sought again.
-
Pharmacists’ Experience: The compulsory three-year experience requirement is proposed to be reduced to one year.
-
Renewal and HPR Portal: Existing concerns will be examined in consultation with the Pharmacy Council and Drug Department before implementation.
-
H1 Register: Computerised sales and purchase records/bills will be accepted, and the physical H1 Register will not be unnecessarily made mandatory.
-
Jan Aushadhi Stores: Regular inspections by the Drug Department were assured, with the Association to be informed about action taken in cases of violations.
-
Illegal online/corporate drug businesses: The Drug Department has been directed to check entities allegedly operating illegally and take action as per law.
It was also decided that a follow-up meeting would be held with Health Secretary Kumar Rahul, IAS, to discuss the remaining issues in greater detail.
Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Health Secretary Kumar Rahul, Joint Drug Commissioner Sanjiv Garg, Dr Vasudhra K, in-charge of the ABDM Portal Punjab, and ADCs FDA Gurvinder Singh and Amit Duggal were among the officials present.
The Association delegation comprised President Surinder Duggal, Senior Vice President Sudershan Chaudhary, General Secretary G.S. Chawla, Finance Secretary Amardeep Singh and Organising Secretary Rajiv Jain.
The Punjab Chemists Association expressed gratitude to the Health Minister and senior officials for giving a patient hearing to its concerns and taking what it described as positive and immediate decisions.
The Association said the developments would provide relief to around 33,000 chemists and approximately 68,000 pharmacists across Punjab.