More than 19 per cent of the sanctioned posts of pharmacists at PHCs and CHCs are still vacant and as per the population, there is a shortfall of 16 per cent in the number of pharmacists in the country, according to a study by the Planning Commission.

There is a requirement for 26,579 pharmacists at the existing PHCs and CHCs, which are also way below the required number. The sanctioned posts are 22816 while only 18,419 posts have been filled up, leaving a gap of 19.48 per cent, as per the study in connection with the 11th Five Year Plan.

In fact, the actual required number of pharmacists will be much higher if the shortfall in the number of CHCs and PHCs are taken into account. As per the population statistics based on 2001 census itself, country needs 6491 CHCs and 26,022 PHCs. However, the existing number of PHCs is 22,669, which is 18.46 per cent short of the target. In the case of CHCs, the gap is still wider at 40.87 per cent. At least 6491 CHCs were required but only 3910 are in existence. The sub-centres required were 158,792 but there are only 144,998 sub-centres at present, opening a gap of 13.16 per cent, says the study.

In the case of other staff in the primary health sector also, the gap is considerable. There is a shortfall of 7.91 per cent in the case of doctors and 20 per cent of the existing posts are vacant. The shortfall in the case of specialists at the CHCs is huge, to the tune of 60.19 per cent while 51.60 per cent of existing posts are vacant.

Like the pharmacists, the posts of radiographers and lab technicians are also vacant way below the required levels. There is a shortfall of 34 per cent in the case of radiographers while 25 per cent of the sanctioned posts are also vacant. Against a required number of 26579 lab technicians, only 15,143 posts have been created and even 18 per cent of them are vacant still, according to the study.