In anticipation of the upcoming West Bengal state pharmacy council elections, the United Pharmacists Forum (UPF), the sole coalition of pharmacist organizations, has unveiled its election manifesto pledging 18 commitments to the state’s registered pharmacist community.
Upon securing victory in the elections, the council plans to revise the WB Pharmacy Council Rules (WB PCR) concerning the appointment criteria for the Council Registrar, including specific educational and professional qualifications.
The manifesto highlights a lack of clear guidelines pertaining to the registrar’s appointment and qualifications in the existing council rules. The UPF believes that addressing this issue is crucial to resolving ongoing disputes within the council, specifically concerning the current registrar, who holds a degree in commerce, and the non-pharmacist council president.
Likewise, the council will update the rules related to the appointment, qualifications, and experience of council office staff to align with the Pharmacy Act and Practice Regulations, filling the current void in council guidelines. This move aims to prevent further controversies.
Additionally, the UPF-led council intends to propose the government’s implementation of the Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015. The alliance argues that the current council has failed to recommend or follow up with the government on these regulations. Initiatives with the government include establishing patient counseling centers in hospitals and enhancing pharmaceutical services in both governmental and private settings to benefit pharmacy professionals and their field.
The proposed council will also rectify service fees, which have been unethically inflated, according to the alliance, specifically referring to registration and renewal fees. These will be reduced upon assuming office.
Moreover, the new council plans to abolish the processing fee imposed by the existing council, viewing it as a breach of Section 34 of the Pharmacy Act. The alliance states this fee is neither mentioned in the Pharmacy Act nor is it ethical or legal.
Fees currently collected for refresher courses as per Section 4.2 of the PPR will also be eliminated, transitioning these programs to a free, online format.
The manifesto further pledges to modernize the council’s operations, allowing pharmacists across remote areas to access services online seamlessly, including registration and renewal. Services will include postal delivery of certificates within 15 days of application.
Moreover, the manifesto assures pharmacists of benefits such as insurance coverage, district pharmacy service centers, implementation of B Pharm Practice Regulations 2014, and proposes transitioning future elections to online formats. It also promises a free quarterly magazine, personal badges, and white aprons with their name and registration number for all registered pharmacists.
However, the manifesto omits details about employment prospects for Pharm D graduates or the program’s future, noting that no institution in Kolkata currently offers the Pharm D curriculum.
The UPF is composed of several associations, including the Pharmacists Association of West Bengal (PAWB), the West Bengal Progressive Pharmacists Welfare Association (WBPPWA), the Progressive Chemist and Druggist Association (PCDA), and the Young Pharmacists Forum (YPF). The election is set for December 2024 and January 2025.