The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has called upon the thousands of pharmacy professionals, working in different parts of the country in different capacities, to join and strengthen the IPA for development of their growth in particular and pharmacy profession in general.

'Union is strength' proverb is known to all. Our union government listens only if you have strength. Hence it is a necessity that each and every pharmacy professional, should join and strengthen IPA, said Dr R N Gupta, vice-president, IPA.

IPA is the only oldest and national level association of pharmacy professionals in India, which got recognition by government, as its representation in ‘Drug Technical Advisory Board’ (DTAB) as per Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. IPA was constituted in the year 1938. Now the celebration of Platinum Jubilee celebration of IPA will be held in coming months.

Till date in our country, the recognition of pharmacy profession is still due in society and from government.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) started in 1928 has more than 1,77,000 members, Institution of Engineers (set up in 1920) has more than five lakhs members, Indian Dental Association (IDA) has more than 55000 members, and AIOCD has more than five lacs. But the pharmacy associations have only limited number of members, may be due to unawareness of existence of pharmacy associations or ignorance of professional development through association among pharmacy professionals, Gupta said stressing the need for the pharmacy professionals to join the associations.

The pharmacy students are not being properly briefed about role of associations in development of profession and benefits of becoming member of associations during student life. Ultimately it has resulted poor development of pharmacy professions and neglect of pharmacist and profession by Government too. This is the lacunae prevailing since last several years. This can be corrected by promoting IPA in all teaching institutions, he added.