Karnataka drugs controller issues circular warning pharmacists to refrain from taking up two jobs

Bengaluru, May 7, 2022:

In a major development to stall malpractices of submitting false affidavit and fake certificates by pharmacists for seeking licenses to set up medical stores, the Karnataka drugs controller has issued a circular on April 29 2022 stating that registered pharmacists should refrain from taking up two jobs with one pharmacy certificate.

The move, according to Karnataka drugs controller BT Khanapure, would bring in straightforward and upright practices in the pharmacy trade business.  This is because there are several instances reported by the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council that renewal of registrations by registered pharmacists was not coming through.  Pharmacists were found being employed in dual places. Their certificates were sold to the proprietor of medical stores to set up pharmacy outlets and these were submitted to the State Licensing Authority for seeking sale licenses.

Keeping a close watch on the prevailing unprofessional conduct of pharmacists in the state, Karnataka State Registered Pharmacists’ Organisation (KSRPO) has now come down heavily on the practice of registered pharmacists illegally doing dual jobs. Pharmacists are also seen to not renew their registration. Further, pharmacy outlets are seen to dispense medicines in the absence of a registered pharmacist.

Lauding the move by the Karnataka drugs controller Khanapure, Ashokswamy Heroor, president, KSRPO said there should be no room for such violations which are rampant in many parts of the state.

At no cost pharmacists should not be found to be employed in one place and alternatively their diploma or degree or PG certificate is sold to a pharmacy outlet to seek license from the state licensing authority.

In a communication to the state government, Heroor said that repeated reminders highlighting the professional ethics breach was brought to the notice of the government and the state drugs control department.  

The letters highlighted Rule 65 (1), (2) and (3) of The Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which prescribe that the supply of any drug, on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner should be effected under the direct and personal supervision of a registered pharmacist only.

Even sale bills should bear the signature of the registered pharmacist as per Rule 65 (3) (g) ; 65 (21) (g) (x).

Many Medical shops are operational without registered pharmacists. It was found on several occasions that pharmacists, on whose name the license was granted, are working elsewhere at pharmacy colleges as principal or lecturer, or in a government or semi government hospital pharmacy outlet. At times they were employed as medical representatives. The doctors, mainly Ayush mainstream who are graduates of BAMS, BHMS, BNYS also graduated as D Pharm have rented their certificates to these medical shops. As per the pharmacist ethics: Rule 89 of KSPC Rules 1968, one person cannot practice as doctor and pharmacist at the same time.

Karnataka State Pharmacy Council had issued notice to such pharmacists bringing the same to the notice of the Karnataka drugs control department. Such offences were brought to the notice of the drugs controller who has now issued warning order which should still fear among the violators, said Heroor. Pharmabiz