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Sunitha Srinivas <s.srinivas@ru.ac.za>
Subject: [india-drug] Pharmacists in retail outlets
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(Source: Pharmabiz .Thanks?.SS

The Idrug participants are requested to share their views of the
improvements they envisage if we find more pharmacists trained in
rational use of drugs behind the counters rather than certificates of
pharmacists hung in the retail pharmacy with even a high school student
pushing and counting pills in a product centered profession. The
developed countries have moved towards the philosophy of pharmaceutical
care where the patient is the focus and communication the key towards
it. Thanks?.SS)


KSRPA seeks enforcement of pharmacists in retail outlets
--------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, January 28, 2004 08:00 IST 
Nandita Vijay, Bangalore

Karnataka State Registered Pharmacist's Association (KSRPA) has
submitted to the Union Ministry of Health a 14-point agenda to be
included in the Drugs & Cosmetics Act Fifth Amendment Rules-2000 in
compliance with the Pharmacy Act 1948. The agenda pertains to rules in
drug dispensation and the mandatory requirement of registered
pharmacists in wholesale and retail outlets. 

"The main objective of our representation to the ministry of health is
to convince the importance of qualified pharmacy professionals in the
dispensation of drugs. We have requested for a revision in the rules to
suit the current conditions, said Ashokswamy Heroor, president,
Karnataka State Registered Pharmacist's Association representing
Gangavati taluk, Hospet district in Karnataka. 

Among the proposals put forth in the agenda include: mandatory hiring
of a registered pharmacist by wholesale/retail outlets to help solve
the increasing unemployment problem among the qualified pharmacists.

The members of the KSRPA also stated that no trade licenses should be
issued in future for the pharmacy trade sector, if registered
pharmacists are not hired. Suggestion to generate revenues for the
government by increasing the trade license fee is also indicated.

In order to drive home the point that only a registered pharmacist is
qualified to dispense drugs, KSRPA has insisted that drug licensing
authorities should issue the license in the name of the registered
pharmacist instead of the proprietor or partner of the firm. 

Another recommendation made is that it would be appropriate that the
registered pharmacist should be associated in the retail or wholesale
outlet either as a proprietor or partner or working partner. 

If there are replacements or substitutes among the existing qualified
staff, the pharmacy trade outlets should apply for a fresh license from
the licensing authority. However, in the case of outlet address change,
fresh license is not required, instead, the licensing authority must be
updated with new address details which is supported with an affidavit
copy.

The KSRPA has also called for a change in the application form format
to simplify and reduce un-necessary paper work at frequent intervals. 

In order to speed up the results of the drug tests which are seized for
being spurious or not-of standard quality, the KSRPA wants a drug
testing laboratory at all Assistant Drug Control Circle offices for
faster reports. 

Another issue highlighted in the agenda is the strict adherence to the
Maximum Retail Price (MRP) which can accomplish the recommendation of
World Health Organization (WHO) to minimize drug costs.

KSRPA also maintains that apart from regular inspections by the drugs
control officers, the Nursing Homes, Blood Banks, Ayurvedic, Unani
Siddha & Homeopathy centres must have a vigilance team to conduct
internal surprise checks to ascertain the quality of drugs being
stocked and sold to curb any spurious drug sales.


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