Many key speakers at the Indian Pharmaceutical Congress (IPC) criticized the central government for not recognizing the vital role that could be played by the pharmacists for the successful implementation of the National Health Policy (NHP) initiatives. They felt that no national health programme could be complete without specifying the role of community pharmacist and their active involvement in the country. The theme of the 55th IPC 2003 is “Pharmacy, Medicine Management and The NHP”.

Pointing out the importance given to pharmacists in developed countries, they felt that in India, national programmes intended at “health for all”, “promotion of essential drugs”, “primary healthcare”, “control of HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria etc” are not related directly or otherwise to pharmacists.

“India needs to put in place some mechanism and bring about changes in the national health policies to develop a global pharmacist. There has to be attempts to create and impart appropriate education and training for developing contemporary pharmacy practices,” says Prafull D Sheth, president, president Indian Pharmaceutical Association.

Delivering the 29th BV Patel Memorial Lecture on “Globalization of Indian Pharmacist – What are we? Where should we be going?” he felt that Indian pharmacists have failed to impress upon the decision makers on the need to recognize the role of the profession in bringing about changes in the healthcare delivery sector.

“WHO had always concluded that only when pharmacist has been accepted as vital member of the healthcare team, there can be scope for more professionalism. Ironically, even as the Ministry of Health endorses the resolutions of the World health Assembly, it has conveniently avoided the implementation and inclusion of pharmacy in the NHP,” he said.

Though there is sufficient number of pharmacists in India, their quality is not up to the mark. This has resulted in an erosion of public faith in the healthcare delivery capacity of the pharmacist. Reflecting the fact was the recent recommendation of the 29th Standing Parliamentary Committee to allow non-qualified pharmacists to dispense the drugs, he said.

Sheth wanted the professional ability of the pharmacist to be upgraded considerably if he needs to grow in stature before the public eye. “Pharmacist should not be seen just as a person who can read out the prescriptions and pick up the medicines. His knowledge level should be raised. In tune with this change, there has to be a separation of prescribing and dispensing. Sighting the experiences in other developing countries where such transition took place, he felt that such a distinction will result in more careful issuance of prescriptions by the doctors,” he explained.

Setting tone for the discussion, Ashwini Kumar, president, Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association (ICPA) had during his theme address at the inaugural function hinted on the government attitude towards involving pharmacists in national healthcare programmes.