AMID the nationwide strike call given by the All India Chemists and Druggists Association on May 20, the Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) has taken a firm stand asserting that medical stores are not merely commercial businesses but prof e s s i o n a l h e a l t h c a r e establishments directly linked to patient safety and public health. IPA Chhattisgarh Secretary Pharmacist Rahul Verma said the organisation has demanded strict implementation of existing pharmacy laws and mandatory physical presence of registered pharmacists at all medicine distribution centres. He stated that violation of pharmacy regulations directly endangers lives of patients. Citing provisions of the Pharmacy Act 1948 and Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, the association said only registered pharmacists are legally authorised to dispense medicines and that medicines must be distributed only under the direct supervision of pharmacists. Verma alleged that several medical stores are functioning by merely using pharmacists’ degrees on paper while actual dispensing is being carried out by untrained or non-professional persons.

 

IPA also raised concerns over the alleged existence of a larger syndicate involving protection to violators of pharmacy norms. Strongly opposing online pharmacy operations, the association said e-pharmacy platforms deprive patients of direct counselling and interaction with qualified pharmacists, which could adversely affect patient safety. IPA demanded a complete ban on online medicine sales. The IPA Chhattisgarh Secretary also criticised heavy discount advertisements on medicines, terming them violative of pharmacy ethics and professional regulations. It demanded immediate cancellation of licences of stores violating such norms. Expressing concern over sale of scheduled medicines without valid prescriptions, Verma warned that unrestricted access to narcotic, psychotropic and antibiotic medicines could contribute to drug abuse and antimicrobial resistance. The organisation further demanded compulsory appointment of registered pharmacists in all government and private hospitals as well as medicine distribution centres across the country.