Karnataka State Registered Pharmacist’s Association (KSRPA) is working to ensure that the pharmacists are recognized as the first point of contact during a medical emergency to administer treatment which could save patients from fatality. In this regard the Association has compared the syllabus of the MBBS and B Pharm and is working to convince the Union government to permit registered pharmacists to dispense life saving drugs directly to patients in emergency cases.

Now in order to implement this, the government along with the Medical Council of India and Ministry of Education will need to make efforts to review of the curriculum of MBBS and B. Pharm degrees. There is need to compare the syllabus  and make a scrutiny of the subjects.

“A comparative analysis would provide a clear picture on the common topics shared under the MBBS and B Pharm syllabus. While B.Pharm syllabus is  seen to provide a solid foundation in strong in areas like drugs where it focuses on chemistry of the formulation, pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, to name a few,  where as in the case of MBBS,  subjects have a clear-cut focus on human physiology and topics like neurology, ophthalmology, ENT and general medicine. This gives a better edge to a B Pharm graduate to chip in medical attention during an emergency going by his knowledge of drugs and its adverse drug reactions,” said Ashokswamy Heroor, president, Karnataka State Registered Pharmacist’s Association and practicing advocate.

Therefore the Association which has looked into these aspects has suggested that registered pharmacists may be allowed to dispense drugs  for not just  common or minor ailments, but could provide the required medical attention during an  emergency in metros and more so in the rural areas, where MBBS doctors are not available. In these circumstances, registered pharmacists are far better and reliable than quacks, which fill this vacuum, presently, he added.

If registered pharmacists are permitted, quackery in the state comes to an end, thereby protecting public health. In addition, the Association has also recommended that the registered pharmacists may also run a ‘Pharma Clinic’ where he can treat minor diseases and dispense drugs on the prescription of other doctors. He can provide counseling service and drugs consultancy services to the general public and doctors on various aspects of medication like, dosage, time and frequency of administration, side effects and precautions, warnings, storage of drugs, contra indications, drug interaction, food interaction and incompatibility. The pharmacist could also educate the public on the criticality of expiry dates, need to read labels, said Heroor.

As the Association president, Heroor also called on all pharmacists and related professional bodies, to support this cause where registered pharmacists could intervene during medial emergency which would improve his professional status.

The Association has also communicated to the President of the India Pranab Mukherjee to take recognise the importance of a pharmacist.