The basic objective of any government is to ensure that everyone has equal and fair access to pharmaceuticals and medicine. However, the ability to make and sell pharmaceuticals and medicines must be granted with caution. As a result, the government has strict standards in place for issuing Licenses to manufacture and distribute pharmaceuticals and medication. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 oversees the whole medication manufacturing and distribution process in India.

Purpose of Drug License

Individuals' access to medications and pharmaceuticals must be controlled and regulated to guarantee that such items are not abused or misused. Thus, under the Medicines and Cosmetics Act of 1940, all pharmacists, distributors, retailers, producers, sellers, dealers, and importers of medications, cosmetics, Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani drugs are required to get a drug License.

The drug license's objective is to give authority to organisations or individuals to participate in drug and cosmetics-related industries. In India, no company or individual can run a medication, medicine, or cosmetics business without first acquiring a drug license registration.

The 1940 Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Act and the 1945 Drugs and Cosmetics Rules assist the government in regulating and monitoring the quality of drugs marketed in India. The government has jurisdiction over medications from the raw material stage to when they are sold to a patient or customer by a pharmacist in a retail pharmacy, hospital, or dispensary.

The government also exercises control over elements such as the import and export of medications, the sale of pharmaceuticals to minors, the use of category H and X substances, and so on, which need careful monitoring and implementation. The Governing drug authority grants the drug License under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act of 1940.

Types of Drug Licenses

Based on the definition of "drug," the pharmaceutical industry in India requires the following Licenses:

Manufacturing License- 
 

A license granted to a company that manufactures medications, including allopathic and homoeopathic medicines.

Drug Sale License -
 

A permit to sell narcotics. It is divided into two parts: - Wholesale Drug License - Retail Drug License

• Wholesale License - A drug wholesaler must obtain a wholesale license. The term "wholesale" refers to selling medication to a person or store that will resell it.
   

• Retail license - A retail license is necessary for selling pharmaceuticals at retail. A retail sale is the sale of drugs or cosmetics for end-user consumption. Retailers can sell it to a dispensary, hospital, educational, medical, or research facility. This license is required for retailers selling medications, cosmetics, stand-alone pharmacies, Ayurveda stores, etc.

Loan License -
 

A license granted to a company that does not possess a production unit but uses the facilities of another licensee.

Import License -
 

A license is provided to any dealer who imports products for drug production or imports drugs into India.

Multi-Drug License -
 

A license awarded to a company that has pharmacies with the same name in various states.

Eligibility for Acquiring a Drug License Registration

Space Requirement

Another key necessity is space, namely the size of the pharmacy/unit. The pharmacy/unit should be 15 square metres in size for both wholesale and retail Licenses. It should be 10 square metres in the case of a retail and medical store. The clean height of the premises of the sale should be as per the National Building Code of India.

Pharmacist/Skilled Individual

In the event of a retail firm, the pharmacist must be qualified. A graduate with one year of experience or an undergraduate with four years of experience is required for a wholesale business.

Storage Space

Another crucial necessity is storage space; because some pharmaceuticals must be stored at low temperatures, freezers and air conditioners are required.

Technical Personnel

The retail pharmacy personnel must be knowledgeable and experienced. The wholesale pharmacy staff must be a graduate with at least one year of experience or an undergraduate with four years of experience.

Drug Regulatory Authority

The drug controlling authority, also known as the drugs controller under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, is responsible for issuing various drug license registrations. The following are the governing drug authorities (license authorities):

State Drugs Standard Control Organization (SDSCO) - Issues permits for state-regulated drug sales, distribution, and manufacturing.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) - In charge of approving and issuing Licenses for newly manufactured drugs as well as clinical drug studies. It also oversees the quality of imported medications and works with the SDSCO.

State Drug Controlling Authority - Issues permits for the establishment of blood banks and their components and goods, such as Vaccines, Sera, and so on, with permission from the Central License Approving Authority.

Ayush Department - Issues Licenses for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, homoeopathic, and herbal cosmetic and medicinal items.

Application for Drugs License Registration
 

The drug licensing authority or regulatory authority is in charge of issuing the drug license. Because each drug-controlling authority is responsible for issuing separate licenses, the applicant must apply to the corresponding drug-controlling authority depending on the license he or she requires (as stated above). The procedure for acquiring a drug license registration is as follows:

Go to the website of the relevant drug control authority

Because each drug regulating authority is responsible for issuing different drug Licenses, the applicant must visit the corresponding drug controlling authority (SDSCO, CDSCO, or Ayush) depending on the kind of License he/she is requesting for.

Application Submission

The applicant must submit the drug License application online through the website of the relevant drug governing body. The applicant must include all of the information requested on the application form.

Documents should be uploaded

Following the completion of the application form's data, the next step is to upload the documents and submit the form together with the relevant costs. Before submitting the application, the applicant must keep all papers up to date.

A Narcotics Inspector Pays a Visit

Following receipt of the application form, the drug Inspector will physically visit the firm premises, shop, or pharmacy to verify documentation and the accuracy of the information contained in the application.

The Granting of The Drug License

The drug controller will grant the drug license after the drug inspector's examination and verification.

Documents Required for Drug License Registration

• The entity's constitution, the Memorandum of Association or MOA, the Articles of Association or AOA for a company, the partnership deed, and the LLP agreement in the case of a partnership and LLP.
• Identification of the partner/director/proprietor is required.
• Paperwork pertaining to the premises - A copy of the property's ownership documents or a rental agreement, as well as a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the proprietor of the rented premises, if applicable.
• The premises' site plan and key plan.
• A copy of the Board decision authorising the issuance of a License.
• Proof of storage space is available, such as cold storage, refrigerators, etc.
• A copy of the challan is required as evidence of deposit.
• Affidavit regarding the proprietor/partner/and director the firm's non-conviction.
• The registered pharmacist's/competent person's affidavit.
• Cover letter including the applicant's name and designation
• Formal declaration in the required format
• Qualification certificate of the applicant
• At a retail sale for a pharmacist:
• Qualification proof
• Local Pharmacy Council Registration
• Letter of appointment
• At a wholesale sale for a pharmacist:
• Qualification proof
• Certificate of Experience
• Letter of appointment

Conclusion

The Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 specifies the method and requirements necessary for a drug License registration. The stated Act deals with drug laws and their sale or manufacturing, and the Rule is formed in accordance with it. Having a pharmaceutical business without a license is illegal. Any individual, LLP, partnership firm, OPC, or business can obtain a drug License. For this fssai license is also required. The license can be renewed for a period of up to five years.