Recruitment rules for some of the technical posts notified by the department of pharmaceuticals (DoP) are riddled with many ambiguities, according to Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA). DoP has not specified any pharmacy qualifications for the posts of additional industrial advisor, deputy industrial advisor and assistant industrial advisor, espcially when pharmacy graduates and post graduates are most suited for these positions.
In a communique to DoP dated April 5, 2016, the IPA has pointed out that while its suggestions were taken for finalisation of recruitment rules for technical posts in the DoP, vide ref. no. 12025/56/2008-PI-III/Estt. dated March 7, 2016, its specific recommendations were ignored.
“The description related to the proposed qualifications for the posts of additional industrial advisor, deputy industrial advisor and assistant industrial advisor are observed to have considerable ambiguity. It appears that the policy framers did not give due attention to Indian pharmacy education despite detailed curriculum and specializations taught. The pharmacy graduates and post graduates with required experience are aptly suited for holding these posts,” stated Kaushik Desai, general secretary, IPA.
Referring to the value of pharmacy education in India which is over 75 years old, the Association said that first course was offered from Benares Hindu University which is now an IIT. Since then pharmacy education grew from strength to strength with several colleges and universities offering specializations through degrees and post graduate courses. Even the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education Research (NIPER) offers masters programme with admission criteria similar to B Tech and BE courses. The B Pharm and M Pharm courses offer several specializations including pharmaceutical, pharmaceutical technology, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical engineering and pharmaceutical management.
Similarly B Pharm course has exposed students to foundation and applied courses. For the sake of brevity, the Association provided a list of subjects covering chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer fundamentals, pharmacology, pharmaceutics and bio-pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical administration, pharmaceutical management and pharmacy jurisprudence including Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules and Drug Price Control Order.
“Except for B Pharm course no other courses includes such diverse subjects related to drugs and pharmaceuticals to make them experts in this field. These degrees are recognized globally to obtain better result oriented performance. Therefore, it is essential that adequately qualified, suitably experienced and deserving candidates are appointed for each and every post in DoP. Hence, there is a need to recommend only B Pharm or M Pharm candidates with required experience to the posts of additional industrial advisor, deputy industrial advisor and assistant industrial advisor at the DoP,” IPA pointed out.
Moreover pharmaceuticals is different from basic chemicals. These are of great importance in patient care and public health. The industry is highly regulated to ensure availability, affordability, high quality and safe medicines. Realizing the importance of the sector, the DoP was created and therefore it needs to employ only qualified persons armed with B Pharm or M Pharm, noted the Association.
“The government will now need to ensure that only pharmacy graduation is the desired qualification for positions in the drug industry, drugs control departments, among related areas of work wherever jobs deal with drugs and pharmaceuticals,” stated Desai.