Pharmacists across the country vehemently opposed the demands set by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), seeking amendment of the Rule 65(15)(c) of Drugs & Cosmetics (D&C) Rules, citing that it is a baseless claim to commercialise the profession for profit making.

AIOCD had recently made an appeal to recognise partner or the proprietor engaged in the retail medicine shops having minimum experience of five years as qualified person to dispense medicines under the law. Raj Vaidya, a leading expert from the industry pointed out that this demand is against the law and will only further deteriorate the status of the pharmacy profession and the pharmacists in the country.

He called upon his fellow pharmacists working not only in pharmacies but who are also involved in other professions like teaching, government jobs etc. to react strongly against this motion as it is against the interest profession at large. He pointed out that the reason why there are not enough pharmacists ready to opt for a job in a chemist shop is mainly because they are they are not offered a proper professional environment nor a decent remuneration for their work.

“Unfortunately, today most of the chemist shops in the country work in the lines of general stores, lacking professional practice standards, which is not only affecting the profession but also the delivery of quality services to the patients. Why do not the organisations like AIOCD first try to adopt a professional decorum that will help the pharmacy professionals to qualitatively and quantitatively measure the commitment for providing high quality, reliable health care services. I am sure that once they address these key issues, they will easily be able to attract enough work force to address the issue of shortage of pharmacists in the chemists shops,” he stressed.

He further stated that that the need of the hour is to identify the main issue rather than finding a way around it. Vaidya immediate past chairman of IPA CPD, pointed out that it is not possible to give in to their demands as its highly preposterous considering its aftermath. “If a partner or the proprietor engaged in the retail medicine shops having experience of five years can be recognised as a qualified person to dispense medicines, then even a compounder having five years and above of experience can be imagined to be eligible to be recognised as a doctor,” Vaidya stated.

He further expressed his shock and concern on how none of the professional pharmacy bodies have yet come forward to reject this demand which can have a jeopardising impact on the reputation of this profession. Vaidya also criticised the lackluster attitude of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and the drug licensing authorities for not taking a stringent approach while approving and giving licenses to chemists shops, while stressing that there is an urgent need to streamline the whole system so as to ensure growth and upliftment of this profession.