Pharmacists have sought immediate intervention from the Centre for severe injustice meted out to them over the omission of bachelors of pharmacy (B Pharm) and master of pharmacy (M Pharm) as valid qualification for recruitment of food safety officers and food analysts under the food safety and standards rules 2011.

It is understood that rule 2.1.3 and 2.1.4 of the food safety and standards rules 2011 seek application only from candidates having degree in food or diary technology, biotechnology, oil technology, veterinary sciences, microbiology, or masters in chemistry or biotechnology to name a few, except anything remotely related to pharmacy. Concerned by this gross neglect, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has urged the health ministry to amend the rules of the same by including these qualifications in the selection process.

Raj Vaidya an expert from the industry informs that it is ironic how the Centre missed to consider B Pharm graduates for this important post, especially when the curriculum of B Pharm and M Pharm degrees specifically caters to the subject matter that is best suited for this post. He added that pharmacists are trained and educated in subjects like pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical technology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmaceutical analysis, instrumental analysis, pharmaceuticals engineering, pharmacology, toxicology, etc. to name a few, which covers the total aspect of the specified posts.

“Ideally, this is the best job suited for a B Pharm or an M Pharm graduate, however, the Centre through its sheer lack of insight has withheld this opportunity from them. This is when pharmacists are already struggling to find job opportunities suitable for their profession. Such gross negligence is not only affecting the career of the pharmacists at large, but also hampering the reputation of the profession as well. Why should students prefer being a pharmacists when they are barred from job application even within their own area of interest,” questioned Vaidya who is also an active community pharmacist.

Expressing his angst further he said that even under the drugs and cosmetics act there have very limited opportunities. Pharmacists unfortunately have to deal with competition from graduates from other field as well, who also enjoys the benefits of wider professional choices, Vaidya pointed out.

Kaushik Desai secretary of IPA stressed that B Pharm course by virtue of  its curricular content and training becomes one of the best suited qualifications for performing the duties of food safety officers and food analysts. Especially since B Pharm graduates have over time and again showed their competence in this area in the past.

IPA has strongly raised this issue with the Centre, urging them to take immediate corrective steps to safeguard the interest of the pharmacy professionals from getting further damaged.