Pharmacist-led care for minor illnesses in India: an urgent need for a regulatory framework

Abstract

Minor illnesses such as common colds, uncomplicated skin conditions, and mild gastrointestinal disturbances represent a significant share of primary care visits in India, despite being self-limiting and suitable for protocol-based management at the community level. The growing burden of these conditions places avoidable pressure on overstrained primary health facilities. In this context, community pharmacists, the most accessible healthcare professionals in India, could be empowered to deliver safe, protocol-driven management of minor illnesses. While informal pharmacist consultations are widespread, the absence of a formal framework, regulatory clarity, and standardized training continues to impede safe and accountable practice. While existing literature in India has largely focused on pharmacists’ roles in dispensing and chronic disease management, structured pharmacist-led models for minor illness care remain largely unexplored.