Govt. Pharmacists have been periodically staging protest rallies, dharnas and even observing lockouts, strikes etc from time to time in both Jammu and Kashmir division of the state against what they call govt. apathy towards their long pending demands. Their relay chain hunger strike at Jammu has entered 14th day today and they have further threatened to intensify their agitation beyond their March 17 deadline in case their demands are not fulfilled. Whereas some of their demands including removal of pay anomaly if any, payment of risk allowance, regularization of adhoc and migrant substitute employees are not contested here, other demands like in-service RMP certification and their promotion as senior and chief pharmacists do not hold much water since they are not based on sound and cogent justification. As a matter of fact most of them hold diploma certificates of compounders and dispensers or medical assistants which they have obtained after undergoing a training course of the J&K State Medical Faculty for a brief duration of about six months to one year. To all intents and purposes such a short course can not guarantee them sufficient professional prowess or expertise on drug delivery techniques so as to claim designation of senior or chief pharmacists let alone registered medical practitioner certification. Either none or a negligible number of these govt. pharmacists hold a diploma or a degree in Pharmacy.
On the basis of a few months' narrow-based training wherein they are trained more about first-aid measures and dressing techniques rather than various facets of pharmaceutical sciences like scientific dispensing, medicinal chemistry, hospital and clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutics, pharmacology etc, they cannot claim an inherent right to become chief pharmacists overnight, no matter how long the length of their service as pharmacist is. In absence of the requisite qualification, no one can claim the privileges of a high level post merely on the basis of his service length. However their service length could fetch them a progressive hike in their pay scales. Senior or chief pharmacist’s post is a speciality designation demanding exceptional acumen and requiring at least a degree in pharmaceutical sciences since it is not just compounding or dispensing of drugs that he has to manage, he is responsible for a lot many more things like scientific storage of drugs, testing and analysis, maintenance of their inventory, procurement in accordance with established norms, modern distribution techniques and counseling services to patients. Only pharmacy graduates undergo a rigorous training for three years after graduation or four years after 10+2 that fully gears them up to assume all such responsibilities.
Earlier in the year 1999, govt. pharmacists vociferously pressed their demand for getting designated as “Pharmacists” which govt. readily acceded to without taking cognizance of the interests of qualified degree or diploma holders of pharmacy whose profession got diluted by according the pharmacist designation to medical assistants, compounders and dispensers etc. As per Pharmacy Council of India regulations, pharmacist designation has to be strictly restricted to those holding diploma or degree in pharmacy. However no consideration was given to these guidelines while according pharmacist designation to the hoi-polloi of the state.
Globally as well as nationally, pharmacy profession is evolving day by day. So much so that PCI is seriously contemplating to abolish diploma course in pharmacy in near future and raise the minimum qualification for registration as a pharmacist to B.Pharm. However, unfortunately clock ticks in the reverse direction and wind blows against the tide in the state of J&K. Whereas Good Pharmacy Practices (GPP) as envisaged under WHO guidelines are being implemented elsewhere, attempts are being made over here to put the cart before the horse. Nevertheless govt. pharmacists deserve all appreciation for being so well organized and united in getting their demands fulfilled and that is why they have been successful in pushing their luck higher and higher with each passing day. On the other hand, degree holders of pharmaceutical sciences lack organization, a united platform and a common voice. Consequently they are unable to safeguard their legitimate interests and govt. is not sensitive to their concerns and grievances and their rightly deserved due is being transgressed by others at ease. Further there is complete lack of awareness among higher authorities including beauracrats, ministers etc regarding the difference between a qualified and a non-qualified pharmacist and the role that a qualified pharmacist can play in procurement, testing, storage and dispensing of standard quality drugs alongwith suitable counseling services to patients on various key issues like dosage, indications, contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions etc.
Pertinent to mention that the guidelines put forth by the Medical Council of India with regards requirement of QUALIFIED pharmacists in hospitals prescribe a minimum of three qualified pharmacists for every 50 bed-hospital or less, 5 for 51-100 bed hospital, 8 for 100-200, 10 for 200-300 and a minimum of 15 qualified pharmacists for 300-500 bed hospitals. National Human Rights Commission too in its report on hospital pharmacy services submitted in January, 1999 has recommended that, “every hospital should organize the pharmaceutical activities in regard to purchase, storage, testing, compounding, dispensing and distribution of drugs under the charge of a competent and experienced persons possessing at least degree in pharmacy”. In accordance with these guidelines and the recommendations made vide Hathi Committee Report (1975),that advocated reservation of the posts of senior and chief pharmacists in every hospital and primary health centre for the qualified pharmacy graduates only, it becomes imperative that the requirements as per MCI guidelines are fulfilled and necessary appointments made. In light of all these reports and recommendations, demand of govt. pharmacists to be redesignated as senior or chief pharmacists assumes no relevance or validity.
Govt. pharmacists’ demand for in-service RMP certification too is not backed up by sufficient and requisite qualification, skill and expertise. Through a debatable move, govt. accorded RMP status to some non-medicos few years ago on the basis of their experience, past performance and commitment to serve in remote areas where mainstream medical professionals are not accessible. However the process has been aborted long back since it was only one-time initiative taken by the govt. with an aim of accommodating those senior and skilful persons who had been serving the rural populace since ages and had thereby achieved sufficient knowledge in medical practice. There is no denying the fact that govt. pharmacists too have been offering their services in remote corners of the state where physicians are not regularly available due to the topography of the region or some other reasons. However, on these grounds they cannot claim to become doctors without any mandatory training and qualification. In this context, even qualified pharmacists are not authorized to prescribe medicines.
Few years ago, previous state govt. enacted SRO-192 and brought down the minimum qualification for registration as a pharmacist to matriculation thus opening flood gates for non-qualified persons to enter the profession of pharmacy. As per the regulations prescribed under Pharmacy Act, this qualification should have been reverted back to the level of diploma or degree in pharmacy after completion of the preparation of First Register by the J&K Pharmacy Council. But unfortunately state govt. made an amendment in the J&K Pharmacy Act bringing down the qualification to matriculation even for Subsequent Registration. This was done under the garb of regularization of unlicensed medical shops spread across the length and breadth of the state. While robbing peter to pay paul, govt. didn’t care a fig for the fast deteriorating professional standards as a result of such actions. Instead of refining and purifying the drug delivery system by stepwise upgradation of minimum qualification required for registration as a pharmacist, govt. resorted to en-masse registration irrespective of qualification thereby plunging this noble profession into a paltry state and setting an adverse trend fraught with serious ramifications on the health of common masses. The author does not hold any grudge against the govt. pharmacists, nor is any attempt being made in this write-up to assail them or cast aspersions on their dedication or commitment. While the author is not averse to their genuine demands, it is suggested that they should not seek over-privileged comforts or demand something which they do not deserve or is rather deserved by someone else.
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