Chattisgarh Pharmacists Association (CPA) an affiliate of Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) protested to draw the attention of the state government on pending demands for the upgradation and promotion of the pharmacists. CPA and Chattisgarh pharmacists has taken two days mass casual leave on February 25 and February 26, 2015 and gathered at protest ground near Budha Talab, Raipur, Chattishgarh.
Ashwini Gurdekar, president, CPA has written a letter to the chief minister of Chattishgarh, stating that to draw the state government's attention on the pending demands of pharmacist, CPA and Chattisgarh pharmacists are protesting and have taken two days mass leave. So, CPA requests the government to take an immediate action on the pending demands of the pharmacists.
Gurdekar also informed that the Public of Chattisgarh were suffering because of non availability of medicines but department is ignoring the demand of constituting a pharmacy system without any delay. Proposal by Director, Medical Education and Health Services in this regard has been waiting government approval. The proposal will help in creating more jobs for the pharmacist and ultimately benefiting the public with more manpower available for the effective management of availability of medicines. This will also help in creating promotion channel for the pharmacists.
Abhay Kumar, president, IPA says, “CPA has submitted the memorandum for the upgradation and promotion of the pharmacists in Chattisgarh to the state government. As the pharmacists are placed in the naxal areas they are not being provided with the benefits of allowances and CPA is protesting to upgrade the status of the pharmacists We also demand that pharmacists should be included in the medicine purchase committee. At present there is no pharmacist in the purchase committee.”
CPA is also opposing B. Sc Community Health programme to be started by the Chattisgarh Government. Instead, CPA demands to provide training to the pharmacists from 3-6 months, so, they can serve the purpose of government to bridge the gap for health professionals in rural areas. It is pertinent to mention that some states like Punjab, UP, Uttarakhand etc. already allowed pharmacists to prescribe medicines in the absence of a medical doctor. IPA is also against the B. Sc. community health course and represented to various authorities including Union health minister.
CPA also demands to fill 600 grade 2 post of pharmacists with permanent posts, CRMC allowance and RSBY allowance, availability of pharmacist in each pharmacy shop or medical store as per Drugs and Cosmetics Act and a salary of Rs. 20,000 per month salary to RBSK pharmacist as per their qualification.