The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Pharmacy Council of India to accept and process the applications of new pharmacy colleges which had moved the Delhi and Karnataka High Courts against a moratorium issued by the statutory body.
Expressing concern over the mushrooming of pharmacy colleges in the country, the top court said nowadays, education has become an industry, and there are big business houses.
"Because of the high cost of medical education here, students from India were required to go to Ukraine. It is much cheaper there," the apex court said. A vacation bench of justices B R Gavai and Hima Kohli made the observation while hearing an appeal filed by the Pharmacy Council of India against the orders of the two high courts.
"By way of ad-interim orders, we direct the Pharmacy Council of India to accept and process the application of the applicants who were petitioners before the high court and no final decision be taken on approval or disapproval till final decision," the bench said, posting the matter for hearing on July 26.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Pharmacy Council, submitted that the moratorium was issued due to the mushrooming of pharmacy colleges, and in fact, these are "industries" in garb of institutions.