Pharmacy Act 1948 came into force in Andhra State in the year 1955. The States re-organization took place in November, 1956. The Andhra Pradesh State has been formed with certain parts of erstwhile Hyderabad State (Telangana) with Hyderabad as Capital. The Pharmacy Act has been extended to Telangana area with effect from 01.09.1960. Under Section 46 of Pharmacy Act 1948 rules were framed vide G.O.M.S.No.1021, dated 09.07.1955. The Andhra Pradesh Pharmacy Council was constituted in the year 1959 under section 19 of Pharmacy Act for the purpose of functioning and administration of the Council.

The Council Meeting was held on 18.03.1959 with Major K.N.Rao, D.M.S as the first President of the Council. Under Section 29 of the Pharmacy Act, the State Council, as soon as, it is constituted shall maintain the register in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the register shall contain the names of the Pharmacists with details of qualification, address, etc., and every person on payment of the prescribed fees is entitled to get his/her name entered in the Register, if he/she wants to carry business or profession of Pharmacy in the State subject to required qualification of Degree or Diploma in Pharmacy. The first Register of Pharmacists under section 30 of Pharmacy Act was published in Andhra Pradesh Gazette on 27.03.1958 with 392 Pharmacists. Reconstitution of the State Council took place once in every five years consisting of the following members, namely:

Six members, elected from amongst themselves by registered pharmacists of the State.
Five members, of whom at least three shall be persons possessing a prescribed degree or diploma in pharmacy or Pharmaceutical Chemistry or registered Pharmacists nominated by the State Government.
One member elected from amongst themselves by the members of Medical Council or the Council of Medical Registration of the State, as the case may be:
The Chief Administrative Medical Officer of the State ex-officio or if he is unable to attend any meeting, a person authorized by him in writing to do so.
The officer-in-charge of Drugs Control Organization of the State under the (Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940) ex-officio or if he is unable to attend any meeting, a person authorized by him in writing to do so.
The Government Analyst under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940(23 of 1940) ex-officio or where there is more than one, such one as the State Government may appoint in this behalf.

Pharmacy Act 1948:Section 26A:
A State Council may, with the previous sanction of the State Government, appoint Inspectors having the prescribe of this Act.

An Inspector may:

• Inspect any premises where drugs are compounded or dispensed and submit a written report to the Registrar.
• Enquire whether a person who is engaged in compounding or dispensing or drugs is a Registered Pharmacist.
• Investigate any complaint made in writing in respect of any contravention of this Act and report to the Registrar.
• Institute prosecution under the order of the Executive Committee of the State Council.
• Exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of Chapters III, IV and V of this Act or any rules made there under.

Any person willfully obstructing an Inspector in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by or under this Act or any rules made there under shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, or with both.

Section 42:Dispensing by Unregistered Persons:
On or after such date as the State Government may by notification in the Official Gazette appoint in this behalf, no person other than a Registered Pharmacist shall compound, prepare, mix or dispense any medicine on the prescription of a medical practitioner.

Provided that this Sub-Section shall not apply to the dispensing by a Medical Practitioner of Medicine for his own patients, or with the general or special sanction of the State Government, for the patients of another medical practitioner.

Implementation of Section 42 of the Pharmacy Act 1948:
The State Government has accorded permission for the appointment of 4 Pharmacy Inspectors vide G.O.M.S.No.196 H.M & F.W (K1) Department dated 29.03.1994 and G.O.M.S. No.232 H.M. & F.W (K1) Department dated 29.03.1994. The same has also been published in Andhra Pradesh Gazette No.47, dated 22.12.1994. The Council has also appointed 2 (two) Pharmacy Inspectors.

Building: The Council has purchased a building of its own consisting of 830 sq.ft. at Nampally which is centrally located and the Council Office is functioning in its purchased about 6,200 sq.ft. at 21st Century Complex, Nampally for the purpose of providing Seminar Hall as well as Board Room, Office, Drug Information Centre and Guest Room, Dormitory for the Pharmacists.

The Council has also purchased two Computers and the complete record of the Registered Pharmacists is computerized. It is also decided to establish Drug Information Center in the State Council Office with the co-operation of other Pharmaceutical Organizations.