Pharmacists hail PCI clarification that pharmacists are not paramedics but independent professionals

June 22, 2023

Pharmacists in Karnataka have hailed the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI)’s clarification that pharmacists are not paramedics but an independent profession as it will boost the image of the pharmacists. With this clarification, pharmacists not just in Karnataka but across India will get increased recognition for their expertise, enhance their professional standing to foster greater trust and collaboration in the healthcare system.

Prof. BG Shivananda, registrar, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, noted that there was a similar misperception by the Karnataka State Directorate of Health and Family Welfare and the Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) which in their notification calling for a walk-in interview for appointment of pharmacists with qualification as B Pharm, D Pharm and a registration to the Karnataka Para Medical Board.

Following this, we went on to clarify that the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council mandates a registration certificate of all pharmacists holding a degree or diploma in pharmacy should register with KSPC and not the State Para Medical Board. Despite repeatedly communicating with these authorities, to make the required corrections, no action has been taken by them till now, said Prof. Shivananda.

Dr Kaushik Devaraju, president, Karnataka Registered Pharmacists Association, pointed out that this is a very important move by PCI. The pharmacists image during the pandemic helped them to go ahead putting into practice the knowledge gathered in clinical pharmacy classes by engaging themselves in roles what a paramedic does. This included triage, monitoring vitals and counselling to patients manifesting Covid-19 symptoms. This could have led to the mistaken identity of a pharmacist who is the only qualified professional to interface with the doctor and interact on prescription advice, review before dispensing, explain on medication safety, look for adverse drug reaction and related conditions.

Now PCI clarification has come in as a relief. It takes the profession of a pharmacist to be responsible for advising on the selection and correct use of medication, be a key source of information for patients and work closely with medical and nursing staff in the hospital wards, added Devaraju.

This notice from PCI is probably because pharmacy has a strong industry orientation, though Pharm D personnel have a medical orientation working alongside various doctors, particularly hospital settings, said Sunil Chiplunkar, vice president, business development, Group Pharmaceuticals.

According to Prof Hanumanthachar Joshi, Principal, Sarada Vilas College of Pharmacy, Mysuru, pharmacy course in India was never a paramedical course. In most of the states in India, nursing, pharmacy, medical, Ayurveda and dental courses are part of health sciences. As diploma courses other than pharmacy were part of paramedical board, some were referring diploma in pharmacy as paramedical course which was always incorrect. The efforts of PCI is welcome in releasing an official notification at least now for the benefit of all and has cleared the confusion.

Despite of this in few states, pharmacy is considered as technical education where as it is health science. Except south Indian and other few states where pharmacy (B. Pharm, M. Pharm, Pharm.D) is part of health sciences and under health sciences universities. Even after AICTE has categorically announced that pharmacy is no more part of technical education and will not continue to approve the courses from this year, many states are approving under technical education. It would be great if PCI clarifies on this issue also, said Prof. Joshi.

PHARMABIZ.com