Legal Finality: Assam Government Confirms Validity of Pharmacy Council Elections

Following nearly two years of legal disputes and administrative reviews, the Government of Assam has officially upheld the Assam Pharmacy Council (APC) elections held in February 2024. In a definitive final order issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department, the state confirmed that the election process adhered to the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the Assam Pharmacy Council Rules, 1959.

The decision brings much-needed stability to the state’s pharmaceutical regulatory body, allowing it to resume its core functions without the cloud of litigation.

The Road to Resolution

Milestone	Event
February 2024	General elections held for the Assam Pharmacy Council.
June 2025	Gauhati High Court directs the state government to resolve statutory disputes.
July 2025	High-level committee formed to investigate allegations of polling irregularities.
November 2025	Judicial Department confirms no legal infirmity in the RO’s conduct.
January 2026	Official Constitution: Government issues final notification upholding results.

Composition of the Newly Constituted Council

The Council is formed under the guidelines of Section 19 of the Pharmacy Act, comprising a mix of elected, nominated, and ex-officio members:

Elected Members (6): Bikash Saikia, Birendra Kumar Barman, Firdous Khan, Md. Matiur Rahman, Riazuddin Ahmed, and Mizanur Rahman.
Nominated Members (5): Led by academic experts including Dr. Surajit Tamuli and Dr. Amal Baruah, ensuring high standards of pharmaceutical education.
Ex-Officio Members: The Director of Health Services, the Drugs Controller of Assam, and the Government Analyst from the State Drug Testing Laboratory.

Industry Reaction

Dhruba Gogoi, President of the Assam Registered Pharmacists’ Association (ARPA), noted that this “speaking order” provides the legal clarity required for the council to function smoothly and prioritize the interests of registered pharmacists and public health safety in Assam.