A case to amend the title of the retail drug license in India

Submitted by Bhagavan P S on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 15:10

This topic I am posing to invite a serious discussion from all the concerned;
What would be the pros and cons if the title of the retail drug license is changed from;
'..... FOR SALE AND DISTRIBUTION' OF DRUGS' to '.....PRACTICE OF PHARMACY' by giving a clear definition and explanation to the term 'practice' and amending the outdated meaning of 'Pharmacy' to mean dispensing of ready to use pre-formulated and pore-packed drugs?

I feel this necessary as;

1. It gives professional status to the pharmacist

2. It bins the pharmacist on professional service obligation to meet the objective of reserving the job exclusively to the qualified pharmacist.

3. It upholds the right of the people to get the service only from a qualified pharmacist and not from 'anybody' in the pharmacy.

I request the reader to discuss the pros and cons

Comments

bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Mon, 02/01/2010 - 17:32

It is very true that it will give professional status to the pharmacists. Your suggestions are valuables. But I think PRACTICE OF PHARMACIST will not be acceptable by people other than Pharmacists and patients.

General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 10:19

Mr Bhpendra,

First lets decide whether we want such a change.

If we want it, Lets discuss pros and cons

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography

yedla pradeep kumar's picture

yedla pradeep kumar

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 00:27

"PRACTISE OF PHARMACY" is a more professional term rather than the former. it enlightens the profession of pharmacy. There is every need to change thetitle of the retail drug license from'..... FOR SALE AND DISTRIBUTION' OF DRUGS' to '.....PRACTICE OF PHARMACY'. But in the present situtuatio INDIA is with regard to sale of pharmaceuticals i.e....., pharmmaceuticals are sold largely by non-professionals , mere changing of nname can do no change . Hence a strict law imposed could be better.

Pradeep Kumar
Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 10:10

Mr Pradeep,

I feel you have tons and tons of negativity in mind set.

You agree for the change with a qualified 'But......'

Why Pradeep, if you feel some thing is good why don't you demand with out reservation and hesitation?

Have the qualified doctors shy away by the existence of 'unqualified 'Quacks'?

Profession is growing because they know what they are and what they want.

Quack will die on his own but may not immediately.

Like wise, If the title is to be changed lets ask for it.

It will happen only if we ask for it in one voice

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography

yedla pradeep kumar's picture

yedla pradeep kumar

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 23:41

yeah i agree with u. There is every need to change the title as we too are professionals.But the most important thing is to demolish the QUACKS.Lets ask for a change

Pradeep Kumar
Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 16:37

Thanks to both of you for the response.

My concern is;

Which law do you think should be enforced?

Don't we have the law?

Even if the existing law is enforced what could happen?

Sale with out prescription could be stopped.

Pharmacist would be available all the time.

well, beyond this.....???

Do we need pharmacist only for selling like in grocery shop?

Does the law binds the pharmacist to provide professional service?

Is the law not cheating the public by depriving them the much desired the professional service?

If the intention or the objective is to allow only selling, don't you think the law is outdated as we dont have typical apothecary pharmacy to demand the presence of the qualified pharmacist.

Any graduate can pick up the skill and knowledge to read the prescription and sell the prescribed product.

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography

yedla pradeep kumar's picture

yedla pradeep kumar

Wed, 02/03/2010 - 23:09

ye ofcourse the law is out dated. new laws potential of making pharmacy practise professional are to be enforced. also the law enforcing should be done judicially.

Pradeep Kumar
bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Thu, 02/04/2010 - 12:43

Dear sir,

If law can be implemented properly pharmacist will become a respectable person.

General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
yedla pradeep kumar's picture

yedla pradeep kumar

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 00:30

sir,
Any chage must come from mob. In INDIA common people doesnt consider pharmacy as a profession at all. Also the rate of self medication is high.This gives a scope to the non-professionals to carry on pharmacy business. Awareness in public to use only prescribed medicines & also to consume from a registered professional can only make difference. Law can improve the situation but to have a complete change only in the hands of people

Pradeep Kumar
bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Sun, 02/07/2010 - 12:50

You are right my dear. In India common people treat pharmacists as compounder .

Reason for self medication is the High Fee of a doctor. If professional advice is available from a pharmacist,patients would like to re-visit a pharmacist. Because a patients is always more comfortable with a pharmacist rather than a doctor.

Yes it is in the hands of pharmacists. There is need of professional approach. Each and every pharmacist should focus on improving of status of pharmacists by every means.

General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
yedla pradeep kumar's picture

yedla pradeep kumar

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 01:37

your point is right. A professsional advice available from a pharmacist make people more comfotable.This needs the upliftment of the profession.No doubt every pharmacist should try for it But what he can do to overcome the competence from the QUACKS . The law should be rigid enoug to make sure that only a pharmacist deals with retail sale of medicines. This automatically makes us professional. Hence the first step to it is to amend the old definitions of sale of drugs espicially the retail sale & as pharmacists we should ask for it.
Pradeep Kumar
Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Sun, 02/07/2010 - 16:01

Dear all,

I appreciate the interest all of you have taken.

'Implement the law' has been a common demand from you.

My question is law implementation will only ensure the presence of the pharmacist.

Will bind him with professional service?

My concern is how long we want to tolerate pharmacists 'silence' at the counter?

Look at the way the Emergency contraceptives (EC) are being sold. They are being sold like nirodh packet.

How many young ladies are misusing / abusing it and ruining their life?

The sale of EC is overshooting the sale of regular contraceptives.

If the pharmacists silence is acceptable, then why not open the gate to the science graduates?

I am not advocating counseling to each and every customer.

A simple casual advise while packing and handing over the medicine will make a big difference. one don't have to be clinical pharmacist to give Simple advises.

Even a foot-path toy seller talks and explains how to play the toy. He presents the toy so carefully as if it is a gold ornament.

Why our pharmacists are dumb?

But is our pharmacist resourceful enough to counsel when some one wants?

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography

bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 12:44

Yes it is true that pharmacists are dumb. There are various reasons. Main reason is the unity. Pharmacists are not united at all. Pharmacist pull legs of other pharmacist. Every pharmacist is aware that most of the medicines are to be kept at a temperature not exceeding 30 degree. And they raise voice for a system that can control temperature of 30 degree (An A/c i simple words). But stores can not be issued A/c because here come ego problem of doctors. They can not see that pharmacist is sitting in A/c room and doctors in a room with fan only. So, first of all we have to unite in right direction then only we can have our voice.
General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
tusharpremin's picture

tusharpremin

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 18:18

Dear Bhupendra, I am agreed with your point but you have to also see other side too, in most of the areas in maharashtra there is compulsory load sheding of 4 hrs is going on and providing an AC will be useless and regarding doctors they always have ego problem, they assume themselves as a god, but in actuality they are the most fraud person (although some exception may be there but almost all physicians have ego problem )

http://www.pharmainfo.net/tusharpremin

Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Thu, 02/11/2010 - 08:55

pl ref to reply to Bhupendra

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography

Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Thu, 02/11/2010 - 08:54

Dear Bhupendra, The issue is being derailed. Lets discuss how to make the pharmacist talk, talk and talk to the clients? If a demanding client insists on information from a pharmacist and if he doesn't get, what is the course available for the client to get remedy, other than going back to the doctor? Is it really necessary to have a talking pharmacist? If it is not, lets open the door to any graduates. After all the prevailing system of running pharmacy can be learnt in just 15 days!

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography

tusharpremin's picture

tusharpremin

Thu, 02/11/2010 - 19:35

Dear Bhagavan, I too feel the issue is being derailed, we want talking pharmacist rather that dumb one, this could be achieved by proving a special training to pharmacist a new ER has to be implemented which necessitate the minimum 6 months training at govt hospitals (similar to internship of the physician). After Internship a written examination should be there where his/her abilities of patient counseling, dispensing medicine and all skills related to the professional handling should be checked, then and then he/she should be liable for Degree in Pharmacy.

http://www.pharmainfo.net/tusharpremin

bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Fri, 02/12/2010 - 12:32

Yes sir I also feel that we need a pharmacist to talk. Talk to patients and doctors at the same time. A pharmacist is a bridge between the two i.e doctor and patient. I myself talks regularly with patients coming in my dispensary. I randomly pick up patients and ask them their ailment. And perhaps you will be surprised that a number of times medicines were not prescribed according to their ailments. I simply put a note on presciption for doctor "Please check medicines Prescribed". And doctors correct their prescription accordingly. In the beginning Doctors in my dispensary got irritated about my this behaviour. But when I talked to my MOI/c about it that I am doing this for the benefit of patients and if you desire that I only dispense what you have written without using my professional skill then I will do like that. MoI/c got convinced with me and also told to other doctors to cooperate with me.
General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
tusharpremin's picture

tusharpremin

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 11:18

Dear Sir,
I am totally agreed with your views regarding suggestions given for uplifting the status of retail shop. but we have to also see other part too.

As everybody is aware here that the curricular education given in universities all over India is going same from ages,in foreign countries more emphasis is given on patient counseling rather than selling of drug, they have specialized courses for clinical pharmacy.

secondly I must admit that Medical Council of India have always dominated Pharmacy Council of India (If compounding and prescribing rights are given to pharmacists where the physician will go). MCI has always overshadowed PCI.

Thirdly we must totally admit that retail pharmacy has now totally become trait rather than profession, the retail pharmacist never go for patient counseling rather they are becoming more and more as a grocery shops.

If we want to achieve the status in society we have to update ourselves first.

http://www.pharmainfo.net/tusharpremin

bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Sun, 02/07/2010 - 12:34

Dear Tushar,
I agree with you. Pharmacy Council of India not playing its role effectively. PCI emphasizes mainly on manufacturing. In so many years PCI haven't done anything for the pharmacists who are in hospitals.

Yes we have to act for achieveing the status. But we often lack guidance. We do not have sufficient time to come forward and do the needful. We just discusses in forums and ultimately discussion ends without any result.

So need is that people come forward and unite and national level.

General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
tusharpremin's picture

tusharpremin

Mon, 02/08/2010 - 03:53

Dear Bhupendra, The effort should be started from our end. A more important thing is that Pharmacy is still considered as a technical field rather than a life science stream. A effort was initiated by MUHS where emphasis was given to pharmacists as a member of life science but it was very unfortunate for us that MUHS because of the opposition of most of the institutions has removed pharmacy stream from MUHS.

http://www.pharmainfo.net/tusharpremin

Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Wed, 02/10/2010 - 08:31

Dear Dr Tushar, thanks for thr input. lets not look at foreign country as it is not comparable. diploma pharmacy course exists only in India and it cannot be compared to any degree course, that too knowing fully well how the pharmacists are being milled out. i dont want to find fault with any body. no blame game. People in the past have done what best they could do to the then existing Indian scenario. let's acknowledge their service and solute them. had they not done even this much, where we would have been? It is good that we have uniform curriculum for D pharm, but what is lacking is hospital environment to teach community and hospital pharmacy. We dont have teachers with field experience to share their experience with the students. The teacher cannot demonstrate to the students what he teaches, in the live environment. ----------- It is wrong to say MCI has dominated PCI Doctor is legally permitted to dispense medicine to his own patient. No doctor is given drug license to dispense on other's prescription. --------- The primary need is; Pharmacist should be in the pharmacy during working hours. He should wear a white coat and display his regn id on his person His name should become a household name in the area.

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography

tusharpremin's picture

tusharpremin

Wed, 02/10/2010 - 09:39

Please note I am not Dr. I really admire your way of thinking, I want to share one interesting event, when I was doing my UG from Wardha and in that year the MUHS has been implement which has recognized pharmacy in life sciences for the first time, but the passing criteria was very tough for the average students, as a result most of colleges results fallen down to 50%. so all colleges united and made union against the MUHS, to withdraw Pharmacy from life sciences. Our college was protesting in favor of MUHS and we have initiated Hunger Strike for the same, the strike was going on and after two days a P.A. of collector has came to us and told us that " we had a call from CM office they want to know in which stream pharmacy falls whether in life science or in Technical Sciences", we got puzzled out, if our CM office dont know about pharmacys inclusion in technical stream how we are going to be benefited..... Lets think aboutt it....

http://www.pharmainfo.net/tusharpremin

bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Sat, 02/06/2010 - 18:52

I am in favour of it because.............

Dispensing is the final step in therapeutics process and the success curative process depends on quality of dispensing practice. We can say that a Doctors treatment is a failure if a pharmacist fail to give medicine according to need of each and every patients.

Medication errors associated with prescribing
1. Sloppy, illegible handwriting of the physician.
2. Ambiguity or abbreviations resulting in misinterpretation.
3. Prescribing the wrong or inappropriate drugs, dosage, frequency or route of administration.

Only a professional can point out these errors and therefore it is necessary that pharmacist be treated as a professional who practices his profession.

General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
bhupendra's picture

bhupendra

Thu, 02/11/2010 - 14:36

Dear sir, Yes it is necessary to have a talking pharmacist. But I am not in a favour to open door to any graduates. Because there is no guarantee that any one will be benefited from it. In my opinion need of today is to have our courses relevent to the post of pharmacist in hospitals. Need is to have pharmacists with voice. One more thing sir. In your opinion if a pharmacist can not answer a patient then the profession be handed over to just any graduate. Then, what will you do with doctors who can not diagnose at all. They just throw stones in dark. Isn't the same rule be applied to them also?
General Secretary Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) http://www.ipa.medlineindia.com
Bhagavan P S's picture

Bhagavan P S

Fri, 02/12/2010 - 08:58

Thank you Bhupemdra. As regards your comment on my cooment on opening the door to others, I didn't mean it as a professional. But when you look at it as an independent outsider that becomes logical. I had to say that to drive home the fact that if we pharmacists fail to do justice to our job and profession, then any study report will reveal that; Drugs are being dispensed by non-trechnical shop helpers. Tanible technical input in the system is Zero. What can be the conclussion particularly in a country like India, where no body bothers about any standard untill a severe massive hazzard occurs or a VVIP gets affected? Appointment of a pharmacist is a farce and could be dispensed with. Few unemployeds may drive the issue for the worst of all. I remember in one of our Indian states a responsible person said 'He doesn't want license and inspector raj" - meaning no need for any regulatory authority. Don't you think we should wake up. The first step as you said is to revise the curriculum. Subject should be taught in live environment by people with field experience or at least training. Hope our academic experts are listening.

Bhagavan.P.S The pic; Explaining pharmacists role to the public in a public fair 'ADHAMYA CHETANA' http://www.pharmainfo.net/bhagavan-p-s/biography