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Indian Pharmaceutical Association urges PM Narendra Modi to talk about pharmacists

In its communication to PM Modi, the IPA has stated that the role of pharmacist is crucial, especially when the country suffers from irresponsible and irrational use of medicines due to poor health literacy.

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Even as there a lot of hullabaloo over online pharmacy, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to talk about their contribution in the country’s healthcare system in Mann ki Baat. 

In its communication to PM Modi, the IPA has stated that the role of pharmacist is crucial, especially when the country suffers from irresponsible and irrational use of medicines due to poor health literacy.

IPA vice-president Manjiri Gharat said globally pharmacists are third largest human resources in healthcare after doctor and nurses. They are considered as healthcare professionals and a link between doctor and patient to educate the latter about the health and medicines related issues. 

“However, in India, if you take an overview of seven lakh plus shops across India, pharmacists are considered as drug sellers or shopkeepers than patient counsellor. There is an urgent need for strict enforcement of provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act to ensure presence of registered pharmacist in the shops for all open hours,’’ she said. 

Gharat emphasised the need for making pharmacy education to be more patient oriented. ‘’There is an urgent need for consumer sensitisation regarding the presence of pharmacist and his role as patient counsellor,’’ she said.

According to IPA, despite the existing drug laws, the role of pharmacist has not developed and a majority of the people are ignorant about the importance of pharmacy practice. The pharmacists’ potential is still unrecognised by all stakeholders. ‘’In many parts of our country, medical stores or pharmacies operate in the absence of pharmacists and even prescription medicines are sold without a pharmacist, thereby endangering the health of the public by exposing them to irrational use of medicines” IPA said in its letter.

Further, IPA said the pharmacy practice remains underdeveloped and ignored. This is despite the pharmaceutical sector has made tremendous progress in India due to research and development and contribution by pharmacists.

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