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ABHA Verification Now Mandatory for Indian Pharmacists: PCI's Latest Guidelines

Posted: 25 Nov 2024, 12:07
by Swathi Swaroopa B
The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) has announced new mandatory guidelines requiring all registered pharmacists to verify their DIGI-PHARMed profiles with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers. This significant development aims to integrate pharmacists with the Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR), marking a crucial step toward digitizing healthcare professional records in India.

Key Changes for Registered Pharmacists

Immediate Verification Required

All registered pharmacists must now verify their DIGI-PHARMed profiles with their ABHA numbers within 45 days of the circular's issuance. Failure to comply will result in profile deactivation on the DIGI-PHARMed portal, potentially affecting their professional practice.

New Registration Process

For new registrations, pharmacists must complete ABHA verification during the initial registration process. Without ABHA verification, registrations will be considered incomplete. First-time registrants without an ABHA number must create one using their Aadhaar card before initiating the DIGI-PHARMed registration process.

Impact on Pharmacy Institutions

The new guidelines also affect pharmacy institutions across India:

- All faculty members must maintain ABHA-verified profiles
- Starting from the 2025-2026 academic session, only ABHA-verified faculty profiles will be considered for SIF applications
- Institutions are responsible for ensuring their faculty members' compliance

Document Verification and Compliance

The PCI has emphasized the importance of document authenticity during the registration process:

- All uploaded documents must be authentic and validated
- Profiles found with incorrect documentation will face blacklisting
- Regular verification processes will be conducted to maintain integrity

Technical Support

For pharmacists facing technical difficulties during the verification process, the PCI has established dedicated support channels:

- Email Support: [email protected]
- Phone Support: +91-7303110019

Steps to Create ABHA Number

For pharmacists who need to create their ABHA number, the process can be initiated at:
[https://abha.abdm.gov.in/abha/v3/register/aadhaar](https://abha.abdm.gov.in/abha/v3/register/aadhaar)

Why This Matters

This initiative represents a significant step toward:

1. Streamlining healthcare professional verification
2. Creating a unified digital healthcare ecosystem
3. Enhancing professional accountability
4. Improving healthcare service delivery
5. Supporting the Digital India mission in healthcare


The PCI's new guidelines mark a crucial transition in pharmacy practice management in India. All pharmacists must act promptly to ensure compliance and maintain their professional standing. This digital integration will help create a more efficient and transparent healthcare system while ensuring better service delivery to patients.

*For the latest updates and detailed information, registered pharmacists should regularly check the PCI portal and ensure timely compliance with all requirements.*