Usha Sharma – Mumbai
Aiming to extend its reach to more states across the country, the Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) has partnered with regional pharmacist bodies from Karnataka, Kerala and Goa.
Abhay Kumar, President, Indian Pharmacist Association said, “Currently, we are in negotiations with these three state local bodies. We are trying to complete negotiations before the end of July and are working closely with them to finalise the polices and identify different local issues and demands faced by these bodies. In future we will represent these concerns from the local bodies to the Central Government.
Kumar said, “After the recent nationwide strike which was called by All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) on May 10, 2013, many local pharmacist bodies have shown an interest to partner with us. Both IPA and these regional bodies have similar objectives; i.e. to promote Indian pharmacists and give them a recognised platform in society.”
IPA did not take part in the nationwide strike called on May 10 this year because they want only pharmacists to be allowed to dispense medicines which is clearly mentioned in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Owners of the pharmacy or proprietor of the shop should not be allowed to dispense medicines.
However, AIOCD aimed to resolve the long pending shortage of pharmacists and suitably amend Rule 65(15)(c) of Drugs & Cosmetics Rules to permit the partner/proprietor as a qualified person to dispense medicines.
In the past, IPA has also extended affiliation to pharmacist associations from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Maharashtra. In the case of Tamil Nadu, three to four local bodies were unified and then registered as per IPA norms.
IPA currently has state branch offices in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. IPA has recently set up a new branch office in Nagaland with 132 members.