The Federation of Indian Pharmacists Organisation (FIPO) is planning a postcard campaign urging the Prime Minister demanding to reject the recommendations of the Pricing and Availability of Drugs/Pharmaceuticals report of the Joint Parliamentary Committee.

The federation has decided to send five lakh letters to the Prime Minister demanding the rejection of the recommendations from June 16 to 21.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee report suggested that the Government explore the possibilities of relaxing the provisions of the Drug and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Pharmacy Act 1948, so that educated persons other than pharmacists would get better job opportunities to sell the medicines after some brief training.

``Some of the recommendations of the 29th report of the Standing Committee are unscientific and anti-people. Handling of medicines is a very technical and sensitive area. As patient counselling is also done regularly while selling medicines, it is important that a qualified person should be at the counter,'' M.S. Arya, state general secretary of FIPO said.

As per the twin Acts, a qualified pharmacist is essential to stock, sell or dispense any drug or pharmaceutical. In India, the minimum qualification for a registered pharmacist is Diploma in Pharmacy. And recently the Pharmacy Council of India, the statutory body to regulate the practice and profession of pharmacy, took steps to enhance the minimum qualification for a pharmacist from diploma to degree as suggested by the World Health Organisation.

``The recommendation cannot be justified as the committee did not seek advice of any statutory body on pharmacy. Only the drug companies and voluntary health services were consulted and the report is prepared to suit their needs,'' M.N.V.G. Adiyodi, the president of the Federation stated at a press conference here.

In the next stage of the campaign, the Federation will call for a nationwide "Pharmacy bandh'' in which pharmacy colleges, medical stores and hospital drug stores will remain closed throughout the country. The Federation has also decided to organise a march during the next session of Parliament. A large number of pharmacists from different parts of the country will take part in it hoping to stop the amendment.