Can diploma holder pharmacists prescribe medicines to patients?
29 Apr, 2013Background
The appellant filed an application under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with the Supreme Court of India in which he referred to some matters pending before or decided by the Supreme Court (SC) and wanted to know if the diploma holder pharmacists could prescribe medicines to patients. The Public Information Officer (PIO) referred him to some relevant cases decided by the SC and also advised to see those orders in its website. The PIO further advised the appellant to follow the procedure laid down in the Order XII of the Supreme Court Rules, if he wanted the certified copies of those orders.
View of CIC
The Central Information Commission (CIC) observed that under RTI, the supreme court cannot advise the appellant whether a diploma holder pharmacist is supposed to prescribe medicines or not. The CIC held that if there were orders passed by the SC on this or any related subject it is for the appellant to go through those orders and understand the direction of the SC on the matter. The Commission rejected the appeal stating that the PIO cannot act as an interpreter of the SC orders and tender advice to information seekers on such subjects.
Citation: Mr. Ram PraveshKewat v. Supreme Court of Indiain File No.CIC/SM/A/2012/001451
RTI Citation : RTIFI/2013/CIC/1238
Click here to view original RTI order of Court / Information Commission