Key Takeaways
- PCI has integrated pharmacists into the Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
- The HPR integration went live on 12 August 2026, with the PCI circular issued on 13 August 2026.
- Existing pharmacists with a valid BH-P Number need to complete and validate their HPR profile by 28 August 2026.
- For pharmacists registering from 12 August 2026 onwards, HPR profile generation is part of the registration process.
- Pharmacists complete the process through the DIGI-PHARMed portal, with profiles verified by their respective State Pharmacy Council.
- Aadhaar verification and ABHA details form part of the HPR integration process.
- DIGI-PHARMed, HPR and ABHA are different: DIGI-PHARMed is the portal, HPR is the professional registry, and ABHA is the linked digital health ID.
- Existing pharmacists who fail to complete the required HPR profile integration within the specified period risk profile deactivation.
- Pharmacists should keep their Aadhaar, State Pharmacy Council details, qualification certificates, ABHA information and employment details ready before starting the process.
Pharmacist registration in India is becoming increasingly digital. In August 2026, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) introduced an important update connecting pharmacist registration with the Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) through the DIGI-PHARMed portal.
The HPR integration went live on 12 August 2026, followed by the PCI circular on 13 August 2026. Existing pharmacists with a valid BH-P Number have been given a limited period to complete and validate their HPR profile, with 28 August 2026 identified as the deadline in the update. New pharmacists registering from 12 August 2026 onwards are required to complete HPR profile generation as part of the registration process.
If you are a registered pharmacist, pharmacy graduate, or someone planning to register as a pharmacist in India, understanding this update is important. This guide explains what HPR is, how DIGI-PHARMed works, who needs to complete the process, what documents are required, and what could happen if an existing pharmacist does not complete the integration.
What Is the Latest PCI HPR Registration Update for Pharmacists in 2026?
The latest PCI update brings pharmacists into the Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR) through the DIGI-PHARMed registration system.
The important dates are:
- 12 August 2026: HPR integration went live with the PRTS/DIGI-PHARMed system.
- 13 August 2026: PCI issued the related circular.
- 28 August 2026: Deadline for existing pharmacists to complete and validate their HPR profile.
This means pharmacist registration information is now connected not only with the respective State Pharmacy Council but also with the national HPR system maintained by the National Health Authority (NHA).
For existing pharmacists, the immediate priority is to log in, review their profile, update the required information and submit it for State Pharmacy Council validation before the specified deadline.
For new pharmacists registering from 12 August 2026 onwards, HPR profile generation has become part of the registration process itself.
What Is the Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR)?
The Healthcare Professional Registry (HPR) is a national digital registry of verified healthcare professionals under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
With this latest integration, pharmacists are being included in the national digital registry alongside other recognised healthcare professionals.
In simple terms, HPR provides a centralised digital professional identity for healthcare professionals.
The system is intended to:
- Maintain verified healthcare professional records
- Reduce fake or duplicate registrations
- Support digital verification of professional credentials
- Connect healthcare professionals with India's wider digital health ecosystem
- Use Aadhaar-based verification as part of the registration process
The HPR is managed by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the ABDM framework.
What Is DIGI-PHARMed and How Does It Work for Pharmacists?
DIGI-PHARMed is the PCI portal used by pharmacists to register, manage their professional information and complete HPR profile integration.
The system connects the pharmacist's information with:
- The pharmacist
- PCI's national database
- The respective State Pharmacy Council
- The NHA's Healthcare Professional Registry
After a pharmacist submits the required information, the profile is sent to the registered State Pharmacy Council (SPC) for verification.
Therefore, DIGI-PHARMed acts as a digital bridge between pharmacist registration and the national HPR system.
PCI and NHA HPR Integration: What Has Changed for Pharmacists?
Before the HPR integration, pharmacist registration was primarily maintained through State Pharmacy Councils.
With the 2026 update, pharmacist registration information is being connected with the national HPR system and the wider ABDM digital health ecosystem.
The change can be broadly understood as follows:
| Before HPR Integration | After HPR Integration |
|---|---|
| Registration primarily handled through State Pharmacy Council | Registration data is also connected with NHA's HPR |
| No unified national health professional ID | Pharmacists receive an HPR identity |
| State-based record keeping | Centralised digital record under ABDM |
| Limited digital integration | Integration with Aadhaar and ABHA |
The update represents a wider move towards digitising healthcare professional records in India.
Who Needs to Complete HPR Registration or Profile Integration?
The update applies to pharmacists registered with a State Pharmacy Council as well as new pharmacists entering the registration system.
This includes:
- D.Pharm-qualified pharmacists
- B.Pharm-qualified pharmacists
- M.Pharm-qualified pharmacists
- Pharm.D-qualified pharmacists
- Existing pharmacists with a valid BH-P Number on DIGI-PHARMed
- New pharmacists registering from 12 August 2026 onwards
- Pharmacists who need to update their qualification, employment or other professional details
For new pharmacists, HPR profile generation is now incorporated into the registration process, so it is not treated as a separate process to complete later.
Why Is HPR Registration Important for Pharmacists in India?
HPR integration creates a verified digital professional identity for pharmacists within India's national digital health infrastructure.
For existing pharmacists, completing the process is particularly important because failure to complete and validate the profile within the specified period may result in profile deactivation.
The integration is also intended to:
- Support verification of pharmacist registration
- Maintain a centralised professional record
- Reduce fake and duplicate registrations
- Support future digital verification processes
- Bring pharmacist registration into the wider ABDM ecosystem
For pharmacists, this means keeping their digital professional information accurate and up to date is becoming increasingly important.
How to Complete HPR Registration Through the DIGI-PHARMed Portal
The process is slightly different for new and existing pharmacists.
For New Pharmacists
The general registration process described in the PCI material is:
- Visit the DIGI-PHARMed portal and select Pharmacist Registration.
- Enter your valid mobile number and State Pharmacy Council registration number.
- Submit your details for verification.
- If your name, registration number and date of birth match the State Pharmacy Council records, your profile will be marked SPC Verified.
- If there is a mismatch, a warning may appear. You can proceed to Aadhaar verification.
- Enter your Aadhaar details and complete OTP verification.
- Complete the remaining registration information.
- Submit the registration form.
- Your username will be displayed and sent through SMS.
- Log in to your profile and enter your educational and employment information.
- Upload the required documents.
- Submit the profile for State Pharmacy Council verification.
After submission, the profile will show its verification status with the respective State Pharmacy Council.
For Existing Pharmacists With a BH-P Number
Existing pharmacists should:
- Log in using their existing DIGI-PHARMed username and password.
- Open their pharmacist profile.
- Review their qualification, registration and employment details.
- Update any information that needs correction.
- Upload or confirm the required documents.
- Submit the profile for State Pharmacy Council validation.
Existing pharmacists should complete the process before 28 August 2026 according to the provided update.
What Documents and Details Are Required for HPR Registration?
Pharmacists should keep the following information and documents ready before beginning the process:
| Category | Details Required |
|---|---|
| Identity | Aadhaar number and Aadhaar-linked mobile number |
| Registration | State Pharmacy Council registration number and date of birth |
| Health ID | ABHA number |
| Education | D.Pharm, B.Pharm, M.Pharm or Pharm.D qualification documents |
| Employment | Current workplace and professional role |
| Contact | Valid and active mobile number |
Keeping digital copies of qualification certificates ready can make the profile completion process easier.
Pharmacists should also carefully check that their name, date of birth and registration details match their State Pharmacy Council records.
What Is the Role of ABHA in Pharmacist HPR Registration?
ABHA, or Ayushman Bharat Health Account, is an individual digital health ID within the ABDM ecosystem.
It is important not to confuse ABHA with HPR.
- HPR represents a healthcare professional's professional identity.
- ABHA is an individual digital health ID.
During the HPR registration process, ABHA details are connected with the pharmacist's professional profile, bringing the information into the broader digital health ecosystem.
HPR, ABHA and DIGI-PHARMed: What Is the Difference?
The three terms can sound similar, but they serve different purposes.
| Term | What It Is | Managed By |
|---|---|---|
| DIGI-PHARMed | Portal used by pharmacists for registration and profile management | PCI |
| HPR | National registry containing verified healthcare professional profiles | NHA under ABDM |
| ABHA | Individual digital health ID | NHA under ABDM |
The easiest way to remember the difference is:
DIGI-PHARMed is the portal → HPR is the professional registry → ABHA is the linked digital health ID.
What Is the Pharmacist Registration and Tracking System (PRTS)?
PRTS refers to the Pharmacist Registration and Tracking System associated with DIGI-PHARMed.
PCI communications may use the term PRTS/DIGI-PHARMed when referring to the registration and tracking system.
The system is used to manage pharmacist registration information, track registration status, support State Pharmacy Council verification and facilitate HPR profile integration.
What Happens If a Pharmacist Does Not Complete HPR Profile Integration?
This is particularly important for existing pharmacists.
According to the provided update, existing pharmacists who do not complete and validate their HPR profile within the specified period risk deactivation of their profile.
A deactivated profile could potentially create difficulties with processes that require verification of active pharmacist registration, such as:
- Job applications
- Registration-related updates
- Renewals or future digital verification processes
Therefore, pharmacists should avoid waiting until the final day to complete the process.
Common Problems Pharmacists May Face During HPR Registration
Pharmacists may encounter a few common issues during registration and profile integration.
Name or Date of Birth Mismatch
If your personal details do not match the records held by your State Pharmacy Council, the system may flag the information for verification.
Aadhaar OTP Problems
If your Aadhaar-linked mobile number is not active, you may have difficulty completing OTP verification.
Portal Slowdowns
As the deadline approaches, increased traffic may result in slower portal performance.
Missing Documents
Incomplete qualification or employment information may delay the verification process.
Confusion Between Different Registration Systems
DIGI-PHARMed and HPR integration relates to the individual pharmacist's professional registration. It should not be confused with PCI approval or registration of pharmacy colleges and institutions.
How Can Pharmacists Correct Errors in Their DIGI-PHARMed or HPR Profile?
Pharmacists should carefully review all information before submitting their profile.
Pay particular attention to:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- State Pharmacy Council registration number
- Educational qualifications
- Employment details
- Uploaded documents
If an error is identified after submission, pharmacists should contact their respective State Pharmacy Council, as the SPC handles the final verification stage.
It is also advisable to keep screenshots of your submission and save your login credentials securely for future reference.
What Should Pharmacy Students and Newly Registered Pharmacists Know?
For pharmacy students and newly registered pharmacists, the HPR process is now incorporated into the registration pathway.
If you are registering for the first time from 12 August 2026 onwards, HPR profile generation is part of the registration process.
Before starting, make sure you:
- Have an active Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Keep your qualification certificates in digital format.
- Have your State Pharmacy Council information ready.
- Keep your DIGI-PHARMed username and password secure.
- Carefully review all information before submitting your profile.
Completing the process carefully at the beginning can help avoid unnecessary corrections and delays later.
How Does HPR Integration Improve Pharmacist Registration in India?
The HPR integration is designed to create a more unified and verifiable digital record for pharmacists across India.
Some of the intended benefits include:
- Easier verification of pharmacist credentials
- Reduced chances of fake or duplicate registrations
- A centralised professional record
- Integration of pharmacists into the national digital health ecosystem
- Alignment with the digital systems used for other healthcare professionals
The update forms part of the broader digitisation of healthcare professional records in India.
Final Thoughts on PCI's Latest DIGI-PHARMed Update 2026
The PCI's 2026 DIGI-PHARMed and HPR integration represents an important development in the digitalisation of pharmacist registration in India.
The process becomes easier to understand when you remember three key terms:
- DIGI-PHARMed = the registration portal
- HPR = the national healthcare professional registry
- ABHA = the linked digital health ID
For existing pharmacists, the most important action right now is to review and complete their HPR profile and submit it for State Pharmacy Council validation before the 28 August 2026 deadline mentioned in the update.
New pharmacists registering from 12 August 2026 onwards will encounter HPR profile generation as part of their registration process.
If you are a pharmacist, do not wait until the last minute. Keep your Aadhaar, ABHA details, State Pharmacy Council information and qualification documents ready. Check every detail carefully before submission, and contact your State Pharmacy Council if you encounter a mismatch or verification issue.
Keeping your professional registration information accurate and up to date can help you avoid unnecessary delays as pharmacist registration in India continues to move towards a more integrated digital system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HPR registration mandatory for pharmacists?
For new pharmacists registering from 12 August 2026 onwards, HPR profile generation is part of the registration process. Existing pharmacists with valid DIGI-PHARMed profiles are required to complete the HPR profile integration within the specified period.
What is the last date for existing pharmacists to complete HPR integration?
The deadline mentioned in the provided update is 28 August 2026.
Where can pharmacists complete the HPR process?
The process is completed through the DIGI-PHARMed portal.
Is there a separate HPR registration fee?
The provided material states that no separate registration fee or payment step is mentioned in the official PCI manual.
Who verifies the HPR profile?
The pharmacist's respective State Pharmacy Council verifies the profile after submission.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Existing pharmacists who do not complete and validate their HPR profile within the specified period risk profile deactivation.
Is HPR the same as PCI college registration?
No. HPR integration concerns the digital professional profile of individual pharmacists. It is separate from PCI approval or registration of pharmacy colleges and institutions.
