Montu Patel Removed as PCI President Following Ministry Order

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has officially removed Montu Patel from his position as President of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). The decision, as reported by The Times of India, is based on the finding that Patel no longer fulfills the necessary membership requirements stipulated by the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

The Ministry’s order explicitly stated that Montu Patel is currently neither a nominated member under Section 3(h) of the PCI Act, 1948, nor a member of the Gujarat State Pharmacy Council. Consequently, his cessation of membership in the Central Council of PCI automatically terminates his presidentship, in accordance with Section 7 of the PCI Act.

The Context: Allegations and CBI Scrutiny

Patel’s removal follows a period of intense scrutiny involving serious allegations of corruption and irregularities.

In July 2025, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids on his residence in Gujarat and his offices in Delhi.
He is alleged to have accepted monetary incentives in exchange for accrediting pharmacy colleges despite their non-compliance with regulatory standards.
Reports highlighted a significant lapse, suggesting that an astounding 870 pharmacy colleges were approved within a period of just 13 days under his leadership.

Interim Leadership and Future Elections

The Ministry’s order mandates that the PCI must now conduct elections to appoint a new president within the next three months.

In the interim period, Vice-President Jasubhai Chaudhari has been designated to serve as the Acting President of the PCI.

Patel originally assumed the PCI presidency in April 2022, having been nominated to the Central Council in October 2019 as a representative via his membership in the Gujarat State Pharmacy Council. His removal underscores the stringent requirement of continuous membership in a State Council to hold the top office at the PCI.