Pharmacists demand affiliation with Pharmacy Council of India

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 25

Demanding affiliation of the state’s Pharmacy Council with the Pharmacy Council of India, the J&K Government Pharmacists Association has said it is the only way to check the spread of illegal drug stores.

Addressing a press conference, association president Sushil Sudan explained that diploma in pharmacy course being offered by various colleges in J&K is not recognised by the Pharmacy Council of India because of which even the trained/qualified pharmacists of J&K are not eligible to apply for any posts advertised by Central Government departments, Central paramilitary forces and Railways. He said in the absence of affiliation with the Pharmacy Council of India, the J&K Drug Control Department had allegedly been issuing chemists and drug licences to unskilled, non-professional persons on the fake experience certificates thus putting the health of innocent people at a great risk.

“Due to this policy and malpractice, the drug licences are being issued to non-professional people. These unskilled persons are engaged in malpractices, particularly in rural areas putting the health of innocent patients at a great risk and also demoralising trained and professional pharmacists,” said Sudan.

Choudhary Jarnail Singh, working president of the association informed that the matter in this regard had already been brought into the notice of the state government as well as the Governor.