PCI Tightens Infrastructure Norms For Pharmacy Colleges; Six-Year Window For Rented Campuses

The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is tightening the infrastructure framework for pharmacy education, making institution-owned land and buildings mandatory for new colleges and giving existing institutions operating from rented or leased premises six years to make the transition.

This is likely to put a brake on plans of small entrepreneurs to start pharmacy colleges from rented premises as well as curb mushrooming of such institutes. Also, the first-generation educators in the sector may have to struggle to invest in owned campuses within six years.

The new norms will apply from the 2027-28 academic year. Institutions already functioning from rented or leased premises will have until the 2032-33 academic year to establish their own campuses. Those that fail to do so will not be granted further extension of approval, as per a circular issued by the PCI.

The move is aimed at addressing concerns over the stability and quality of pharmacy education, with the PCI arguing that institutions dependent on rented properties face “structural, regulatory, financial, and operational risks” that could disrupt academic activity and weaken long-term planning, said an official from the PCI.

Under the new framework, ownership of the campus must be in the name of the sponsoring body, trust, society or company, as applicable.

During inspections, the PCI will verify ownership documents, which must be legally valid, registered, free of encumbrances and specifically earmarked for pharmacy education.

The policy marks a shift from treating physical infrastructure as a regulatory requirement to viewing it as a foundation for academic continuity. Pharmacy education, unlike programmes that can function largely through classrooms, depends substantially on laboratories, specialised equipment, practical training and research facilities. A rented building that is subject to eviction, lease termination or non-renewal can therefore create significant uncertainty for students and institutions alike, the official explained.

The Council has also introduced a proximity restriction for new colleges. From 2027-28, a new pharmacy institution cannot be established within five kilometres in plain areas and two kilometres in hilly areas of an existing approved pharmacy institution.

Existing colleges will not be affected by this criterion. The PCI has also made clear that more than one pharmacy institution cannot operate from the same building.

The infrastructure requirements will go beyond ownership of property. Institutions will have to comply with prescribed norms relating to built-up area, room sizes, laboratories, equipment, faculty and other statutory requirements applicable to D.Pharm, B.Pharm, M.Pharm and Pharm.D programmes.

The policy could have a mixed impact on the sector, said the stakeholders.

For established institutions with adequate financial resources, owning a campus could encourage long-term investment in laboratories, research facilities, faculty infrastructure and student amenities. Unlike rented premises, where modifications and capital expenditure may be constrained by the terms of a lease, an owned campus offers greater scope for expansion and sustained academic planning.

But the transition could be considerably more demanding for smaller colleges, said a pharmacy institute owner on the condition of anonymity. Purchasing land, constructing buildings and setting up specialised laboratories require substantial upfront investment. Institutions in smaller towns, where access to capital may be limited, could find the six-year window challenging.

The consequences may extend beyond institutional finances. Colleges unable to comply could lose their approval, raising questions about continuity for students enrolled in such programmes and the eventual redistribution of pharmacy seats. The policy could also result in consolidation, with financially weaker institutions potentially exiting the sector, he said.

At the same time, the five-kilometre distance requirement suggests that the regulator is also seeking to address another longstanding concern — the concentration of educational institutions in areas where demand, faculty availability or infrastructure may not justify further expansion.