Karnataka drugs controller Dr BR Jagashetty has called for implementing the concept of biometric pharmacy card which would track the presence of pharmacists in chemists shops on similar lines that of US. In this regard, the state drugs controller has called upon the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC) to work towards the same. In turn the KSPC has sent in a proposal to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to help in its software development.

Such a model of biometric card would transform the operational efficiency at pharmacy outlets. All that a chemist shop would need is a digitized electronic compact machine with a dedicated built-in software, Dr. Jagashetty told Pharmabiz.

The biometric pharmacy card would provide an identity to any qualified pharmacist : D Pharm, B Pharm, M Pharm and Pharm D and a candidate with a related doctorate degree. It would track the presence of a pharmacist in a chemist outlet and provide details of his working schedule at the counter. It would further widen the scope of work experience opportunities not just to fresh pharmacy graduates and post graduates but also those working in pharmacy colleges and pharma industry. Barring those pharmacists in government service, the biometric pharmacy card would enable these professionals to work at pharmacy outlets at any time even if they are on a vacation in any part of India, said Dr. Jagashetty.

 In fact, it was at a convention organized by The Bangalore District Chemists & Druggists Association (BDC&DA) on ‘Modifications in Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013,’ that Dr. Jagashetty indicated that introduction of a biometric pharmacy card was on the anvil. It was early this year, that the Karnataka drugs controller had discussed the need for biometric card with the Pharmacy Council of India president Dr. B Suresh.

“Pharmacy card is in vogue in the US and this is the only way to bring in more people to be engaged in the profession. If Karnataka is able to implement this, then it would be the first state in the country. In fact, working at a pharmacy outlet for a qualified professional would lay the foundation of a candidate’s career chart as it would create a sense of discipline to maintain drugs stocks on the shelves and track sales. Besides, it would also engage the pharmacist to discuss with the patient on multiple drug regime. It would provide the much-needed exposure for both new and experienced pharmacy professionals about the drugs in the market and its storage requirements, said Dr Jagashetty.

If pharmacists were armed with a biometric pharmacy card, it would allow them to work part-time at chemists shops. This would also offset current difficultly of having to ensure a pharmacist is present for the entire day as per the rules. The pharmacy card holder could also opt for hourly service and move from shop to shop depending on the convenience.

For its implementation across the 22,000 pharmacy outlets, a subsidy on the biometric card machine could be provided at a later stage.

According to DA Gundu Rao, president, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, the biometric pharmacy card which is used for authentication of identity would strengthen the pharmacy profession with enhanced productivity and recognition in service.