The Golden Jubilee Conference of the Indian Hospital Pharmacists Association (IHPA) held recently at the Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Central University in Lucknow has passed several resolutions including demand for creation of posts of clinical pharmacists for Pharm-D holders in the national medical institutions, medical colleges and central government hospitals.

The conference also demanded amendment of Rule 71 and 76 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940 (Rules 1945) in order to make B Pharm as the basic qualification for competent technical staffs and registered pharmacists for grant of wholesale licence under Rule 64. The association has also sought amendment in Food Safety & Standard Act 2011 (FSSA) to establish pharmacy graduation as one of the eligibilities set for the post of food safety officer (FSO), previously called as food inspector.

The conference also resolved to take to the government their demand that a directorate of pharmacy services, education and research must be immediately created under the ministry of health & family welfare. Likewise, a bridge course to equalize the qualification of working pharmacists should be started to equate the diploma holders with degree holders so that the pharmacists in services will become eligible for better pay structure and promotional avenues through 7th central pay commission.

In order to ensure the physical presence of qualified pharmacists at the medical shops and to develop professionalism rather than trader ship, government should grant new licences only to the registered pharmacists. Government should also establish generic drug stores in all district hospitals and qualified pharmacists must be employed in the Jan Aushadhi Abhiyan units, IHPA wanted.

In academics and education sides, the association sought amendment in NIPER Act 1998 to prefer M Pharm for the appointment of teachers. Another resolution was for including the subject of pharmacy into the list of subjects for the civil services examinations and CSIR research programmes.

Regarding the issues in Uttar Pradesh, the association passed another resolution demanding the state government for establishing pharmaceutical faculty in the UP Technical University in order to deal with pharmaceutical subjects and advise the vice-chancellor in technical matters of pharmaceutical technology.

While speaking to Pharmabiz over telephone from Lucknow, R A Gupta, organizing secretary of the golden jubilee conference, said he brought a resolution in the meeting seeking amendment of UP. Pharmacy Council Rules 1955, so that the graduates and post graduates in pharmacy may be eligible for representation in the council.

Dr Madhu Gupta, social activist and Member, Legislative Council, UP inaugurated the Conference and Dr. Nitya Anand, former director- CDRI presided over. R A Gupta was awarded with Bhojraj Poonjamool National Award for Hospital Pharmacists for his dedicated services.

The theme of the conference was Re -Structuring Pharmacy Curricula: Need of Health Sector.