Pharmacare Awareness Rallies are different from Healthcare Awareness Rallies

Pharmacare Awareness Rallies are different from Healthcare Awareness Rallies

"Prescription is decided by the doctor, but the brand of medicine should be chosen by the patient with the help of a pharmacist, based on the patient’s income."

"Prescription is decided by the doctor, but the brand of medicine should be chosen by the patient with the help of a pharmacist, based on the patient’s income."

🔍 1. Role of the Doctor:

Doctors are responsible for diagnosing the illness and prescribing the generic name of the medicine (e.g., Paracetamol, Amoxicillin).

This ensures that the treatment is medically appropriate and based on clinical judgment.

💊 2. Role of the Pharmacist:

A qualified pharmacist is trained in pharmacology, drug interactions, and therapeutic alternatives.

In #communitypharmacy practice, pharmacists help patients choose from available brands of the prescribed generic medicine.

They consider:

1. Patient’s income level

2.Availability of brands

3. Quality and reputation of manufacturers

Patient preferences (e.g., tablet size, packaging, ease of use)

👥 3. Role of the Patient:

The patient has the right to be informed and involved in the decision-making process.

With guidance from the pharmacist, the patient can select a brand that is affordable and effective, rather than being forced to buy a specific brand that may be expensive or unavailable.

⚖️ 4. Legal and Ethical Basis:

According to Pharmacy Practice Regulations and Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence in India:

Doctors are encouraged to prescribe generic names.

Pharmacists are legally allowed to dispense any brand of the prescribed generic, unless the prescription explicitly prohibits substitution.

This model promotes rational drug use, cost-effectiveness, and patient empowerment.

This model promotes rational drug use, cost-effectiveness, and patient empowerment.

It reduces healthcare costs and ensures access to essential medicines for all income groups.

This approach aligns with the principles of community pharmacy, where:

Doctors diagnose and prescribe generics.

Pharmacists guide brand selection.

Patients make informed choices based on affordability and need.

It promotes transparency, accessibility, and collaborative care—the foundation of a strong healthcare system.

Thanks

Rohit Gupta, Pharma Expert

The Power Shift : from Physicians to Pharmacists

Is it GAME OVER for Physicians ?

In India, big pharmaceutical companies are struggling to do business compared to small, room-based local companies. Everyone knows the reason money matters more than quality. That's why patients should choose their medicine brands with the help of registered pharmacists (RPh).

In which book: brand names of medicines given, and how do Drs decide their quality, Is there any specific subject available, If No, then please prescribe Gen-medicines

ऐसा कौन सा ब्रांड प्रिस्क्राइब किया जाता है जो सिर्फ़ अस्पताल या क्लिनिक में ही मिलता है? समझ नहीं आया। क्या इनोवेटर्स का कोई नया ब्रांड आ गया है? अगर हाँ, तो कृपया जानकारी दें।😃

Brands matter because of quality, agreed. But why so many doctors prescribing branded products from local companies instead of Indian MNCs or global MNCs, I really don’t understand the logic. Poor-quality medicines are harming innocent patients.

POV: Rohit Gupta

Indian FDA(The "Indian FDA" is not a single entity but refers to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the national regulatory body for drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics in India) Vs USFDA

#IndianFDAVsUSFDA.

source:ChatGPT

Quote'

1. In 2005, there were 3 infants aged under 6 months in the US where cough & cold medications were determined by medical examiners or coroners to be the underlying cause of death. 

2. More broadly, in that period (2004-2005), about 1,519 children under age 2 were treated in US emergency departments for adverse events including overdoses from cough and cold medications. 

3. In the 1930s, there were more than 100 deaths (mostly children) in the US from #DiethyleneGlycol (DEG) poisoning, including from Elixir Sulfanilamide, which was given for coughs/sore throats. That tragedy helped lead to major drug safety laws. 

4. There is no recent public record I found that gives a reliable count of how many deaths from FDA-approved or FDA-regulated cough syrups have occurred in, say, the last 10–20 years in the US specifically attributed to either contamination or misuse.

5. Many of the recent deaths globally from toxic cough syrups have been linked to products from outside the US. 

6. The most noteworthy fact is that

 the contaminated products which caused recent deaths abroad have not and cannot  entere the US drug supply chain.

Unquote'

Now the million dollar questions :

  i. Are we deficient in technology?

  ii. Are our Regulators deficient in 

       quality or in Character?

  iii  Are our FDA officers are as 

        accountable as their 

        counterparts in US - FDA

   iv. Are our Drug Laws are so weak 

         to let loose all lapse?

     v. Don't we have strong political 

          will to adopt Zero-Tolerance?

There are two institutions meant to safeguard the pharmacy profession and the integrity of medicines:

A. Department of Food and Drug Control

B. State Pharmacy Council

Both these institutions have their own inspectors.

Yet, despite that, medical shops continue to operate freely and openly even in the prolonged absence of pharmacists.

Due to the fear of pharmacy inspectors, the attendance of pharmacists in medical shops had slightly improved for some time.

However, after the government took over control of the State Pharmacy Council, inspectors have been left without an effective system to perform their duties, and once again, license conditions are being openly flouted, with unauthorized or fake persons running medical stores, posing a serious public health risk.

The Drugs Inspectors are unable to stop this menace.

It is also unfortunate that pharmacy-based NGOs in the state — such as the Indian Pharmaceutical Association and the Registered Pharmacists Association — have failed to rise issues affecting public health and patients safety..

POV: Bhagwan PS

The "Indian FDA" is not a single entity but refers to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the national regulatory body for drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics in India. It serves a similar function to the U.S. FDA, ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of medical products. In addition, individual states, like Maharashtra, have their own state-level "FDA" to handle state-specific food, drug, and cosmetic regulations.  

National regulatory authority Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO): 

The national regulatory authority responsible for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices throughout India.
Role: 
CDSCO regulates the quality of medical products through the implementation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Headquarters: 
Located in New Delhi.
Drug Controller General of India (DCGI): 
The executive head of the CDSCO, who is responsible for regulating pharmaceutical and medical devices. State-level authorities

State FDA: 
Many states have their own Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce regulations at the state level.
Example: 
The Food and Drug Administration, Maharashtra is an example of a state-level body responsible for food and drug safety within Maharashtra. Other international relevance

U.S. FDA India Office: The U.S. FDA also has an office in New Delhi to ensure that food and medical products exported from India to the U.S. meet U.S. safety standards. 

Pharma Scandals and Loopholes

Pharmacy - Ajeeb daastaan hy ye...

- kahaa shuru kahaa khatam

👉🏼 Pharmacists lending degree  PhD certificates to colleges, while working elsewhere and appearing in person only on Inspection day.

👉🏼Postfacto signing of all registers and records of the college a day before inspection day.

👉🏼 PCI inspectors ignoring lapses and deficiencies and sending Ok report to PCI for approval or renewal of the College

👉🏼Pharmacists lending Regn certificate to retailers while working elsewhere.

👉🏼 Drugs inspectors suppressing the Pharmacist's absence and allowing dispensing without Pharmacists.

👉🏼PCI and State Regulatory Officers working on paper bundles (false reports) to justify salary of establishment 😄

👉🏼Acts, Rules, Regulations have become Arterial circulation to energise officers to make money

👉🏼Money Money  Money - Venous circulation - to clean and clear hurdles and catches to rejuvenate😄

👉 Honest stakeholders know everything but dont open the mouth being obligated.

😜🤪😝🤑

POV: Bhagwan PS

The way Mohalla clinic started in Delhi, Government of India should open pharma clinics across the country on the same line and employ pharmacists to end the unemployment of pharmacists.

The way Mohalla clinic started in Delhi,

Government of India should open pharma clinics across the country on the same line and employ pharmacists to end the unemployment of pharmacists.

If you agree then share 🙏 

POV: Unknown

An Open Letter to Pharmacy Teachers.- Bhagwan PS

An Open Letter to Pharmacy Teachers.

Dear Respected Pharmacy teachers, 

Greetings & Good Wishes.

As we welcome a fresh batch of first-year pharmacy students, we are reminded once again of the profound responsibility placed upon us—not merely to teach subjects, but to shape young minds into competent, ethical, and dependable professionals of tomorrow.

Students in their journey look to us for guidance, not only in academics but also in conduct, values, and professional discipline.

In this journey, our role is more than just delivering lectures; it is about moulding personalities, instilling confidence, and nurturing integrity.

At this stage, I would like to share a few of my thoughts, if you don't mind.

Let us look into needs:

1. Strong Foundations

2. Learning with relevance

3. Discipline and Professional Identity

4. Shaping Attitude Along with 

     Knowledge

5.  Guidance through Challenges

6.  Nurturing Curiosity and Integrity

7.  Be Mentors, Not Just Examiners

8.  Collaborating with community  

Let us avoid encouraging shortcut learning. Insist that students read standard reference books, prepare their own notes, and develop the habit of thinking critically. Quick-fix guides do not build professionals. Let us ensure the foundation we lay is strong and lasting with open end to explore further. 

Subjects in pharmacy often appear abstract to new learners. It is our duty to connect theory with practice—linking anatomy to patient care, pharmaceutics to formulations, pharmacology to rational therapy, and law to professional responsibility. Let us show them the bigger picture of PharmaCare and healthcare delivery.We should never miss any opportunity to orient the issue towards practical application.

We should remind students that pharmacy is a discipline of service and responsibility. Ours is a supportive service to the Healthcare. Healthcare is a team work where Clinician is the Team head or Team leader. Egoistic thoughts and attitude are poisons to the Profession and should be discouraged.

We should impress upon students that the dress code, punctuality, and respect for institutions should not be seen as restrictions but as badges of identity and dignity. We, as teachers, must model this discipline ourselves.

Let us impress upon students that the Marks though are necessary as a scale of achievement, It alone will not make them professionals. A professional should have responsible attitude, humility to learn, and respect for doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff.

Students will face confusion, pressure, and fear of failure. Instead of judging them harshly, we should guide them patiently, show them learning techniques, and encourage perseverance. 

Every doubt clarified and every fear addressed adds strength to their professional journey.

Communication is the working tool of Pharmacists. Verbal communication, Written short and long narrative communications have to be given as exercise to practice.  Let us encourage students to ask questions, debate ideas, and learn from mistakes. Honest inquiry should be welcomed, not discouraged. At the same time, let us stress the values of academic integrity—discouraging malpractice, plagiarism, and unethical shortcuts.

Students remember not the marks we gave, but they do remember our encouragement, advice and inspiration. Our mentorship will stay with them throughout their lives.

We should help students communicate their role as future pharmacists to their families and community. Positive attitude in explaining our role as a supportive Healthcare  team member enhances respect and status. 

Dear Colleagues,

Let us take pride in moulding these young learners into trustworthy professionals who will stand before society with competence and integrity. 

If we give our best with honesty and dedication, our students will carry forward our legacy in the noble profession of pharmacy.

Good luck and good wishes

With Kind regards

Attn: #IPCA, #IPA, #APTI,#IPGA, #PCI,#REGULATORIES,.Dear leaders,Please read your vision, mission statements and objectives of the Associations you are heading and objective of the Act under which you are appointed.Quit the leadership if you have any personal agenda to achieve for enjoyment.- Bhagwan PS (Negative Extreme)

Attn: #IPCA, #IPA, #APTI,#IPGA, #PCI,#REGULATORIES,.

Dear leaders,

Please read your vision,  mission statements and objectives of the Associations you are heading and  objective of the Act under which you are appointed.

Quit the leadership if you have any personal agenda to achieve for enjoyment.

I am finding your discomfort very conspicuous to support and associate with struggling Pharmacists.

You are very well aware that the Pharmacy Act and Drugs&Cosmetics Act are hurdles to the growth of the Pharmacy profession restricts only to dispense across the counter.

Yet, it has never occurred to you propose for necessary Amendments to ensure fulfledged professional service to the public and HealthCare system or propose for a separate Legislation to bring out 'Pharmacy Practice Act & Rules' 

Even Doctors and advocates get down to streets when they find some injustice to them happening.

But you leaders in Ivory towers are so indifferent  and cleverly deaf&dumb to react even when a heavy hammer falls on common pharmacist.

Your ceremonial  presence is well registered in all celebrations and 5 star meetings and you never miss  photo opportunities.

At the same time your absence physically and even morally is conspicuous when pharmacists are struggling for survival, against onslaught of law, against support being given by PCI and DcDs to licensees to violate the law.

99.9% of the pharmacists in and out of India have neither trust nor faith on your Associations and our Councils

These (your)  registered bodies have become a lucrative domain for a few to enjoy the luxury by organizing Bakwas meets.

Pharmacy teachers have no trust on APTI as APTI has betrayed the teachers and majority of them are underpaid with no respect and service security,

Pharmacy Graduates are disgusted with quality of education as they are not getting job worthy professionals.

Well,  Please introspect and come out of your cool Comfort zones to chalk out a common good roadmap to save the pharmacy profession which you have made a sinking ship loaded with millions of labelled pharmacists, Lest, common pharmacists will make you tumble down from your #IvoryTower.