Indian Pharmacist Association condemns PCI circular regarding display and use of stethoscope by pharmacists
Mumbai, August 25, 2021:
The Indian Pharmacist Association has written a letter to Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) regarding display and unauthorized use of medical diagnostic devices.
“IPA on behalf of all the registered pharmacists of India condemns the circular dated August 11, 2021, wherein you are objecting to the use of stethoscope by pharmacists. It is very disheartening that instead of promoting pharmacists and pharmacy profession as a whole, PCI seems to be biased towards anti pharmacy profession activities. I also request to withdraw circular immediately”, stated Abhay Kumar, national president, Indian Pharmacist Association, in a letter to Archna Mudgal, registrar cum secretary, PCI.
Earlier PCI in a circular stated that duties and responsibilities of the registered pharmacists are prescribed under the pharmacy act, 1948 and Pharmacy Practice Regulation, 2015.
As per Pharmacy Practice Regulations, 2015, duties and responsibilities of community pharmacists include monitoring blood levels and cholesterol levels.
Community pharmacist means an individual currently registered and who works according to legal and ethical guidelines to ensure the correct and safe supply of medical products to the general public.
According to Section 3(b) in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, Central Government specified the following devices intended for use in human beings for the purpose referred in the sub-clause.
As per Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, registered pharmacists are the competent persons to deal with drugs includes stethoscope and stethoscope are used for monitoring blood pressure.
PCI is the statutory body under ministry of health and family welfare, Government of India. It is constituted under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.The objectives of the PCI is to regulate the pharmacy education in the country, to allow the registration as a pharmacist under the pharmacy act and to regulate the profession and practice of pharmacy.
The Indian Pharmacist Association is the professional body for pharmacists of India. Founded in 2011, the association is a member of the Global Health Workforce Alliance (WHO). The Association is emerging as one of the largest organizations of pharmacists in India. The main objective of the Association is proper placement of pharmacists to play a role in the healthcare sector in India. Members include hospital pharmacists, manufacturing pharmacists, teachers and clinical pharmacists. Pharmabiz