Gujarat Food and Drug Control Authority (FDCA) is working with the retail chemist associations in the state to sensitise them about the provision in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act  that stipulating presence of pharmacists in the retail shops. They have pointedly directed all the associations to ensure full time presence of pharmacists all time in their shops for patient safety.

The drug regulators warned strict actions against those involved in malpractices and urged the stakeholders from refraining from any such activities. The Gujarat FDCA insisted that this is essential not only in ensuring health of the patients but also in the interest of running a responsible chemist shop.

Dr Hemant Koshia commissioner of the Gujarat FDCA stressed that it is imperative to note that scores of pharmacists interested in working in the retail sector remains unemployed in the country because of unethical practices adopted by retail chemist shops. It has been observed that a number of retail chemist outlets have been indulging in unlawful activities in the absence of  pharmacists in the shops.

In many cases they either lease a pharmacists license and sell the medicines without the presence of  pharmacist or with the presence only for some time. “Such practices seriously affect the reputation of the pharmacy profession. It is important to understand that the reports of non availability of pharmacists spread by some section of the trade is just a ruse to cover up such unethical activities. Qualified and deserving candidates are not able to find jobs in pharmacies in the country because of such mischievous activities. Moreover it is important to note that the retail outlets resort to such activities to escape paying proper salary and other perks to the pharmacists..”

He added that measure is being taken by his department to work with the state PCI too, to generate awareness among the pharmacists as well on the ground realities and warn them against any unlawful activities that may affect its members interest.

Above all, it is the right of the patients to get the medicines from the pharmacists. Therefore , no compromise on this issue will be tolerated and strict action will be taken against those who violate this provision in D&C Act, warned Dr Koshia.