Karnataka State Registered Pharmacist's Association (KSRPA) has submitted to the Union Ministry of Health a 14-point agenda to be included in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act Fifth Amendment Rules-2000 in compliance with the Pharmacy Act 1948. The agenda pertains to rules in drug dispensation and the mandatory requirement of registered pharmacists in wholesale and retail outlets.

"The main objective of our representation to the ministry of health is to convince the importance of qualified pharmacy professionals in the dispensation of drugs. We have requested for a revision in the rules to suit the current conditions, said Ashokswamy Heroor, president, Karnataka State Registered Pharmacist's Association representing Gangavati taluk, Hospet district in Karnataka.

Among the proposals put forth in the agenda include: mandatory hiring of a registered pharmacist by wholesale/retail outlets to help solve the increasing unemployment problem among the qualified pharmacists.

The members of the KSRPA also stated that no trade licenses should be issued in future for the pharmacy trade sector, if registered pharmacists are not hired. Suggestion to generate revenues for the government by increasing the trade license fee is also indicated.

In order to drive home the point that only a registered pharmacist is qualified to dispense drugs, KSRPA has insisted that drug licensing authorities should issue the license in the name of the registered pharmacist instead of the proprietor or partner of the firm.

Another recommendation made is that it would be appropriate that the registered pharmacist should be associated in the retail or wholesale outlet either as a proprietor or partner or working partner.

If there are replacements or substitutes among the existing qualified staff, the pharmacy trade outlets should apply for a fresh license from the licensing authority. However, in the case of outlet address change, fresh license is not required, instead, the licensing authority must be updated with new address details which is supported with an affidavit copy.

The KSRPA has also called for a change in the application form format to simplify and reduce un-necessary paper work at frequent intervals.

In order to speed up the results of the drug tests which are seized for being spurious or not-of standard quality, the KSRPA wants a drug testing laboratory at all Assistant Drug Control Circle offices for faster reports.

Another issue highlighted in the agenda is the strict adherence to the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) which can accomplish the recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO) to minimize drug costs.

KSRPA also maintains that apart from regular inspections by the drugs control officers, the Nursing Homes, Blood Banks, Ayurvedic, Unani Siddha & Homeopathy centres must have a vigilance team to conduct internal surprise checks to ascertain the quality of drugs being stocked and sold to curb any spurious drug sales.