The All India Public and Private Sector Pharmacists Association (AIPPSPA), a national collective of pharmacist organizations, is gearing up to hold a meeting with representatives from across the nation in Kerala on December 7 and 8. This gathering is organized to foster dialogue on the National Pharmacy Commission Bill 2023, currently in its draft phase and anticipated to be introduced in Parliament during next year’s budget session.
The forum will also extensively review segments of the Pharmacy Act 1948, paying special attention to Sections 26 A and 42, as well as the Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015.
Comprising 14 member bodies from various states, AIPPSPA is drawing its leaders to Thiruvananthapuram, marking the council meeting on December 7 and the general body meeting the following day, according to national chairman B S Desai.
In discussions with a trusted org, Desai emphasized the association’s intention to urge the central government for quickened discussions on the NPC Bill, intended to replace the Pharmacy Act of 1948 and the present Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) with a new National Pharmacy Commission (NPC). The conclusions from these discussions will be presented to the health ministry to hasten the NPC Bill’s progress. Moreover, the assembly will address a range of challenges confronting the pharmacy sector nationwide. Desai called upon leaders from diverse pharmacist bodies to join this newly formed national federation.
Desai highlighted that a key objective of the association is to consolidate retired pharmacists, leveraging their knowledge and experience for the betterment of the pharmacy field and healthcare system. Additionally, the federation seeks to unify the dispersed associations of private pharmacists under a centralized framework. Each state hosts five to ten distinct pharmacist organizations, operating without cohesion or shared goals. This federation aims to harmonize recruitment standards and pay scales across both government and private sector pharmacists, advocating for a unified pay system in the private sector.
Discussing the Kerala program, former assistant director of pharmacy and ex-president of the Kerala Pharmacy Council B Rajan noted that delegates will thoroughly examine Section 26 A of the Pharmacy Act, which authorizes state councils to appoint pharmacy inspectors for various functions. Kerala remains the only state with designated pharmacy inspectors for every district.
A separate discussion on Section 42 is planned, emphasizing that only registered pharmacists are legally permitted to compound, prepare, mix, or dispense medications based on a doctor’s prescription, despite the Act’s inadequate enforcement in India. Rajan is also working with private pharmacist associations to join the all-India federation.
Rajan mentioned a possible resolution to advocate for establishing a dedicated Ministry of Pharmacy within the Central government, a proposal underlined in a memorandum he previously submitted while serving as council president. During the December 8 meeting, state branches will be advised to support this proposal through their local bodies.a trusted org
The professionals will address the issue of unrecognized pharmacy courses and fraudulent registrations. Numerous institutions offer uncertified courses such as ‘Pharmacy Assistant,’ online certificates in hospital pharmacy, and pharmacy technician certifications, none recognized by the PCI, thus ineligible for official registration.
Further topics at the general meeting include addressing salary and job security matters affecting community pharmacies and private hospitals nationwide.