Q: No Drug License without a Pharmacist - Law. When this is the law how can shortage of pharmacist be the reason for absence of pharmacist?

Pharmacist's absence.

Q: No Drug License without a Pharmacist - Law. When this is the law how can shortage of pharmacist be the reason for absence of pharmacist?

Chat GPT: 

The shortage of pharmacists despite the legal requirement for a drug license highlights a gap between regulation and practice. Here are some potential reasons for this discrepancy:

1. **Supply and Demand Imbalance**: There may be more pharmacies and healthcare facilities requiring pharmacists than there are qualified pharmacists available.

2. **Geographical Disparities**: Certain areas, particularly rural or underserved regions, may have a harder time attracting and retaining pharmacists.

3. **Regulatory Enforcement**: There might be lapses in the enforcement of the law, allowing some pharmacies to operate without the required pharmacist on-site.

4. **Operational Challenges**: Pharmacies might face challenges such as financial constraints, making it difficult to employ a full-time pharmacist.

5. **Temporary Solutions**: Some pharmacies may resort to temporary or part-time staffing arrangements to circumvent the regulations.

Addressing these issues would require a multifaceted approach, including increasing the training and education of pharmacists, providing incentives for working in underserved areas, and stricter enforcement of regulations.

A different POV :PharmDs should have been given "Registered Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacotherapist Practitioner" certificate.

A different POV :PharmDs should have been given "Registered Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacotherapist Practitioner" certificate.

self medication

Repeating old prescription - Self-Medication 

Apart from technical issues there are social and economic issues involved that drives the patient to buy repeat dose directly.

The issue is grave in chronic patients like Diabetes, cardiovascular problems, Psychiatric problems, Neurological problems etc..

A  vist to a Doctor costs ₹500 to ₹1000/- excluding medicine. Unaffordable to middle class patient.

However, this doesnt justify self medication even if it is a repeat on old prescription..

But, the challenge remains.....

Can the Challenge be left unaddressed and ignored as is being done now?

Few suggestions:

1. Categorise such drugs into further subgroups:

a. Those that should be dispensed only on New Prescription.

b. Those that can be dispensed for some fixed No of times or in not more than some fixed quantity.

c. Those that should be dispensed only by the Regd Pharmacist.

And also mandate certain guidelines in the prescription for repeat purchase like:

a. Not to be repeated.

b. Repeat for _3_ times only 

c  Repeat only for --weeks requirement.

Alternate suggestion requested 

#Everyone 

#Highlight

Reform - Perform - Transform #PharmacyEducation

Reform  -  Perform  -  Transform 

                        #PharmacyEducation

PCI through a resolution should come out with Sustainable Pragmatic Education Program if necessary by merging certain courses.

Start listing the needs from the field to avoid Debris loading.

Eg. Community Pharmacy and Hospital Pharmacy

D.Pharm to Pharm.D/Pharm.D(PB)

To make minimum qualification for a registered pharmacist to do pharmacy practice in India, Pharm-D degree rather than D.Pharm ie. to replace the state's diploma of pharmacist.

Instead of updating and upgrading the syllabus of D.Pharm, what the policy makers have done is that they have created a new course named Pharm.D/Pharmd(PB) and obvious plan is to make it the minimum qualification for a registered pharmacist to do pharmacy practice in India.

Why create so much confusion, why malign the integrity of Pharmacy field. They could have retained the D.Pharm course and should have made neccessary changes in the syllabus and duration of D.Pharm, so that the minimum qualification for a registered pharmacist to do pharmacy practice in India remain D.Pharm and no need to replace the state's diploma of pharmacist. 

Just imagine if M.B.B.S course is replaced by some other course which is made minimum qualification for a registered physician to do medical practice in India.

However a different take on D. Pharm course is as follows: A different POV :

PCI to introduce medical device mfg in revised curriculum

PCI to introduce Medical Device Mfg in revised curriculum - News Ref. AIOCD.

Why this stupidity?

Is medical devices any formula product?

It is an Engineering subject with medical application.

Knowledge of metals, Rubbers, plasticizers, plastics , PE, PVC, Acrylics, other synthetic materials, absorbability and non-absorbability, their ductile and malleability properties, thermal and irradiation sustainability, besides other related properties like ease of sterilization and application, disposability, special devices for handling radioactive materials etc are a must.

Why burden the pharmacy students for no extra gain?

I remember my B Pharm year 1965 to 69 where we were struggling to work on drawing board to draw basic machine drawings, studying Chemical engineering calculations and formula, orifice meters, Venturi meters, BSc level Arithmetics, Calculus Trigonometry , Algebra etc for no extra gain.

Now, with an eye on to capture control on Mfg and Trading in Medical devices PCI should not run after the mad race in others domain.

-Bhagwan P S

Understanding of Pharma D course initiation requirements

To develop a thorough understanding of initiating a PharmD course, it's essential to conduct a comprehensive analysis, covering situation analysis, need analysis, feasibility study, area of employment, and acceptability. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown for each aspect:

1. Situation AnalysisObjective: Understand the current state of pharmacy education and healthcare needs.

Current Status of Pharmacy Education:What pharmacy programs are currently available in the region?

What is the enrollment rate and graduation rate of existing programs?

What is the perception of the quality of these programs among stakeholders (students, faculty, employers)?

Healthcare Landscape:

What are the major health issues in the region that require pharmacological intervention?

How is the healthcare system structured (public vs. private, primary care vs. specialty care)?

What role do pharmacists currently play in patient care within this system?

Regulatory Environment:

What are the national and local regulations regarding pharmacy education and practice?

Are there any anticipated changes in regulations that could impact the PharmD program?

2. Need AnalysisObjective: Identify the demand for the PharmD program and its relevance.Stakeholder Demand:

What is the level of interest from prospective students in pursuing a PharmD?

What do current pharmacy students and professionals think about the need for a PharmD program?

Healthcare Needs:

What gaps exist in the current healthcare delivery that a PharmD graduate could fill?

Are there any specific patient care areas that require more advanced pharmacological expertise?

Educational Gaps:

What deficiencies exist in current pharmacy programs that a PharmD could address?

How would the PharmD program align with global best practices in pharmacy education?

3. Feasibility StudyObjective: 

Assess the practicality of establishing a PharmD program.Institutional Capacity:

Does the institution have the necessary infrastructure (classrooms, laboratories, libraries) to support the program?

Is there a sufficient number of qualified faculty members to teach the PharmD courses?.

Financial Considerations:

What are the estimated costs of starting and running the PharmD program?

What funding sources are available (government grants, tuition fees, private investments)?

Market Analysis:

What is the projected enrollment for the PharmD program over the next 5-10 years?

How will the program be marketed to attract students?

4. Area of EmploymentObjective:

 Identify employment opportunities for PharmD graduates.

Healthcare Settings:

What are the primary areas of employment for PharmD graduates (hospitals, community pharmacies, clinics)?

Are there emerging roles for pharmacists in specialized fields (oncology, geriatrics, infectious diseases)?

Industry Opportunities:

What roles are available in the pharmaceutical industry (research and development, regulatory affairs, clinical trials)?

Are there opportunities in healthcare policy and administration?

Global Opportunities:

What international employment opportunities exist for PharmD graduates?

How does the PharmD degree from your institution compare with those from other countries?

5. AcceptabilityObjective: 

Determine the acceptance of the PharmD program among various stakeholders.

Student Acceptability:

Are prospective students aware of the benefits of the PharmD program?

What are their perceptions and expectations regarding the program?

Employer Acceptability:

How do potential employers view the value of a PharmD degree?

What are their expectations in terms of skills and competencies of PharmD graduates?

Regulatory and Professional Bodies:

What is the stance of regulatory and professional pharmacy bodies on the PharmD program?

Are there any accreditations or endorsements required from these bodies?

Public Perception:

How does the general public perceive the role of pharmacists in healthcare?

What steps can be taken to enhance the visibility and understanding of the PharmD program among the public?

Conducting a thorough analysis in these areas will help ensure that the PharmD program is well-conceived, relevant, and sustainable.

Has PCI done this exercise? 

# #PCI

#Montukumar Patel

#Secretary, PCI 

#Everyone