Pharmacy professionals from 14 states across the nation convened in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, last Sunday under the aegis of the All India Public and Private Sector Pharmacists Association (AIPPSPA). They resolved to inform the central government and the regulating body, the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), of the critical need for a standardized qualification framework for pharmacists or pharmacy officers across all national departments.
Currently, different sectors stipulate varying entry-level qualifications; some require a diploma in pharmacy (D Pharm) while others demand a bachelor’s degree (B Pharm). With the introduction of the Pharm D degree, numerous key positions such as clinical pharmacists and drug information officers have become exclusive to those holding postgraduate qualifications.
Immediate actions at the PCI level, like amending the Pharmacy Act and advising governmental changes, are considered essential. The association plans to soon present memorandums to the Union Health Ministry and PCI, with BS Desai, the national president, assigned the task of submission.
Desai elaborated post-meeting in an interview with Pharmabiz, that although the basic requirement for pharmacist roles is a D Pharm, many in the field hold undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications in pharmaceutical sciences. The Pharmacy Practice Regulations (PPR) 2015 stipulates degree holders as suitable candidates for pharmacists. It’s paramount that the PCI initiates the necessary regulatory amendments and persuades the government to legislate it, he asserted. To elevate the profession nationally, harmonizing qualification standards and pay scales is indispensable.
Additionally, establishments in all states should institute a dedicated pharmacy department, with the director role assigned as a career advancement position within the pharmacy cadre. Such structural changes could significantly bolster the sector, thereby enhancing healthcare delivery systems. These long-standing demands will be voiced through rallies organized by AIPPSPA across state capitals.
A pressing need also exists for state governments to inaugurate pharmacy degree colleges, which are currently sparse. Karnataka, for instance, only hosts a single government pharmacy degree institution. Predominantly, the B Pharm and D Pharm institutes are privately governed, obstructing the expansion of quality pharmacy education. In response, each state branch of the association will present memorandums to their respective governments.
AIPPSPA also advocates for the creation of a Pharmacovigilance and Drug Information Centre in every district, supervised by a drug information officer, qualified to degree level or higher, with Pharm D professionals taking precedence.
Furthermore, all diploma-qualified pharmacists should be offered opportunities to enhance their qualifications within five years of their appointment, with governmental support for continued education. Over time, shifting the minimum qualification requirement to a B Pharm degree or higher should become standard.
Desai highlights that regions like Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Maharashtra have already transitioned the role’s title from ‘pharmacist’ to ‘pharmacy officer.’ Nationwide adoption of this updated title for drug dispensing roles is urged.
In March 2025, the AIPPSPA aims to stage rallies advocating for these reforms, culminating in a large-scale demonstration in New Delhi in April, during which a formal plea will be submitted to the Union Health Minister. This rally will invite participation from across the pharmacy sector, including students, educators, industry professionals, and traders, supported by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists. Planning includes zonal meetings across India, in cities like Hyderabad, Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi, Chandigarh, Gujarat, and Bhopal, leading up to the rallies.
The recent Kerala meeting saw participation from representatives of 14 states, with Malarvannan from Tamil Nadu and Vijayalekshmi from Karnataka being appointed as general secretaries for a two-year term. B Rajan, a former KSPC president and organizing committee member in Kerala, announced a local rally set for mid-March and confirmed the attendance of 250 Kerala pharmacists at the New Delhi mass rally in April, marking the meeting’s success. When inquired about the national body FIPO, Rajan noted its current state of inactivity.