Even as the Association of the Pharmacy Teachers of India is persistent on the implementation of a common pharmacist registration process at the national level, the pharmacy professionals in Karnataka highlight on the requirement of One Nation -One Registration benefits.
Prof R Raveendra, charter president, Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Peenya Branch, Bengaluru and professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Cauvery College of Pharmacy, Mysuru said the One Nation-One Ration card facility has helped every Indian to get their ration even after migration to other states due to employment and other reasons. In a similar way, the registered pharmacist has to get the right opportunity to work anywhere in India. Once they register their name as registered pharmacist in any State Pharmacy Council the recognition of this status should be automatic.
The government and PCI already initiated the process of linking Aadhar card to registered pharmacist of any state pharmacy councils across India, this would give a further impetus to the whole process of One Nation-One Registration. Those who get the opportunity to work in different parts of India in pharmaceutical industry, research departments or community health services, Pharmacovigilance, or even in the academia, their expertise will only be an advantage to the sector, he added.
In this regard, PCI should take immediate steps to frame a common guideline to all State Pharmacy Councils to ensure that all State Pharmacy Councils have to follow the same guidelines while registering as pharmacist. Another important aspect is the need to ensure life time registration to each and every registered pharmacist. Karnataka State Pharmacy Council has initiated a unique registration scheme along with social security insurance and health scheme. The One Nation-One Pharmacist registration can allow such initiatives too of pharmacist welfare, said Prof. Raveendra.
Also each State Pharmacy Council should appoint senior teachers as pharmacy inspector as per Pharmacy Act to ensure that all pharmacy shops are functioning under the presence of registered pharmacist only. If One Nation-One Pharmacist registration is approved then pharmacists can chip in their services anywhere and anytime as many a time there is a shortfall existing in pharmacy outlets for qualified hands, he said.
Even the profession of a pharmacy faculty can be broadened if opportunities to work in pharmacy outlets or an hospitals as counsellors to guide the patient regarding dosages and treatment. The professional service of a pharmacist even as a faculty can stall self medication which is rampant in the country. Their broadened expertise can be utilised during their guidance to student community . Aspects of drug to drug interactions and drug-food interactions are critical information that can be shared. This is where One Nation-One Pharmacist registration to bolster recognition of professionals, said Prof. Raveendra.
