PCI to integrate Aadhaar authentication to DIGI-PHARMed portal
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has requested all pharmacy institutions to fill the correct data as per Aadhaar card details in the Standard Inspection Format (SIF) and PCI portal as part of its process of integrating Aadhaar authentication for the faculties, pharmacists, students and pharmacy institutions in the portal as per the recent notification by the Union health ministry.
The Council will authenticate all data of teachers, pharmacists and students after completion of the integration part and in case any wrong information is provided or any failure of the authentication process, strict action will be taken against the respective institution and the individual. They will be legally prosecuted in such cases, said the Council in a circular to all approved institutions. PCI has a vision to implement the Aadhaar authentication in the DIGI-PHARMed portal.
“With the integration of Aadhaar services with ‘DIGI-PHARMed’ portal, PCI will step towards total digitisation of registration/enrollment services and ensure the authentication of end users such as pharmacists/faculties/students/pharmacy institutions,” said the Council.
“This will also enhance users’ satisfaction, promoting ease of doing/processing the registration process, productivity, and transparency in administrative functioning,” it added.
The Council has recently announced a revamped DIGI-PHARMed portal as a cloud-based application to offer integrated, end-to-end services related to pharmacy education to various stakeholders, as part of its efforts to digitise its operations.
The MoHFW has notified on November 23, 2023 that the PCI is allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary basis, for specific purposes related to digitising some of the procedures.
“In pursuance of sub-clause (i) of clause (b) of sub-section (4) of section 4 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (as amended) read with rule 5 of the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge) Rules, 2020, the ministry of health & family welfare, having been authorized by the Central Government, hereby notifies that Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is allowed to perform Aadhaar authentication, on voluntary basis….,” said the notification.
As per the notification, this is for authenticating the officials, faculty and students on the portal; and for capturing attendance of the faculty through biometrics using Yes/No or/and e-KYC authentication facility.
PCI shall adhere to the provisions of Act, Rules, Regulations or Guidelines made thereunder and directions with respect to use of Aadhaar authentication as laid down by the UIDAI/Central government from time to time, it added.
It may be noted that the Ministry is in the process of finalising the National Pharmacy Commission Bill, 2023 for setting up the National Pharmacy Commission and repealing the Pharmacy Act, 1948 and dissolving the PCI.
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