The Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (MSPC) has raised objections to the Union health ministry's move to launch refresher course for unqualified persons dispensing drugs in medical shops to make them eligible for obtaining drug license. The copy of the representation is sent to the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Maharashtra Government.
As per the letter, it is totally irrational to introduce such a course and that too with an eligibility for obtaining a trade license upon completion of training of 6 months to unqualified persons. This can lead to an unacceptable situation in the country leading to generation of “Non-qualified pharmacists.”
MSPC is a statutory body constituted under the Pharmacy Act,1948, a Central Act with aim to regulate the practice and profession of pharmacy in the state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council came into existence on 1st September, 1964 and grants registration to eligible applicants who comply with provisions of section 32(2) of Pharmacy Act, 1948.
Presently for registering as a pharmacist in the Council qualification is either diploma in pharmacy or degree in pharmacy or Pharm D from institutes approved by PCI. A registered pharmacist can dispense drugs on prescription of a registered medical practitioner.
Till date total number of registered pharmacists in Maharashtra has crossed the figure of 2 lacs with 191 diploma and 144 degree colleges approved by PCI. Additionally those having approved qualification from other states also apply for registration in MSPC.
Section 42 of Pharmacy Act,1948 deals with dispensing by unregistered person and the punishment for contravening the same. The above referred letter was discussed in the Executive Committee meeting of the Council.
The letter sent on behalf of President MSPC Vijay P Patil and Registrar MSPC Saili S Masal further states that registered pharmacist is a vital link between patient and doctor. In foreign countries, the role of pharmacists involves right from prescribing medicines to dispensing and counseling to patients on various aspects of drugs, its dosage, indications, contraindications, etc.
Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015 which came into effect make a mention of same and it is included in duty of registered pharmacist. It also mentions code of ethics for registered pharmacist with his duty towards patients and society. In past due to improper knowledge about dosage forms there were cases of dry powder inhaler capsules for Asthma being taken orally which results in failure of treatment or medications errors.
A Registered pharmacist undergoes education on subjects like pharmaceutics, pharmacology, patho-physiology, community pharmacy, etc. during his academics. Only experience enables a person to understand rationale behind a physician’s prescription which requires formal education with sound entry level qualification with science subjects in the 12th.
“Today on the contrary, it is being advocated by a big section of pharmaceutical industry to discontinue D Pharm being an inadequate qualification for a pharmacist. Hence in the interest of pharmacy profession and more importantly in the interest of public health at large, we at MSPC request you to not to consider such refresher courses for unqualified persons making them eligible to obtain drug license,” the MSPC letter to health ministry concludes.