Petition for a D.Pharma course for Pharmacy Aides
This petition addressed to the central government aims to make skilled Pharmacy Aides and Assistants into Registered Pharmacists by changing the eligibility requirements to get a Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharma).
The Problem
Pharmacy Assistants have the necessary practical skills through on-the-job learning including dispensing medicines, managing inventory, and understanding prescriptions but are not given formal recognition and career progression opportunities. Additionally, India is facing a pharmacist shortage that has led to reduced distribution of medicines and raised medicine delivery costs, especially in rural areas.
Our Solution
Upskilling the current 20-30 lakh pharmacy assistants with experience working with qualified pharmacists will reduce the pharmacist shortage and help provide additional opportunities for these essential health workers. This petition is to allow pharmacy aides with a 12th class Pass with Chemistry and minimum 2 years of experience to take a modified Diploma in Pharmacy Exam. In order to pass the exam, they should be allowed to take a targeted, low cost theory and practical course, designed by the Life Sciences Sector Skill Council and the Pharmacy Council of India.
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Further details into the petition can be found below.
Subject: Urgent Action Needed: Addressing Pharmacist Shortage Through Up-Skilling Programs
To Concerned Authority
We are writing to propose a solution to address the critical shortage of qualified pharmacists in India, particularly in Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns. As per data from Technopak Advisors (December 2023), India has nearly 9 lakh pharmacies requiring an estimated 30 lakh pharmacists for adequate staffing. However, the current number of registered pharmacists is only 17.5 lakh, and a significant portion hold Bachelors or Masters Degrees, often pursuing careers in manufacturing and marketing due to higher compensation and social perception.
This gap is further exacerbated by:
- A decline in Diploma-level pharmacy enrollment in some regions.
- Retirement or career changes among registered pharmacists.
- Uneven distribution of pharmacists across states, with major shortages in Tier 3 and Tier 4 towns.
Challenges due to Pharmacist Shortage:
- Difficulty staffing all shifts with qualified pharmacists.
- Lack of qualified pharmacists in rural areas.
Consequences of Unresolved Shortage:
- Reduced proportion of medicines dispensed by qualified pharmacists.
- Increased cost of attracting pharmacists from other sectors, raising medicine delivery costs.
Proposed Solution: Up-skilling Pharmacy Assistants
India currently has approximately 20-30 lakh pharmacy assistants with experience working alongside qualified pharmacists. These assistants, despite acquiring practical skills through on-the-job learning, dispensing medicines, managing inventory, and understanding prescriptions, lack formal recognition and career progression opportunities.
We propose a program to:
- Recognize the skills of pharmacy assistants with a qualifying education (12th className with Chemistry) and at least 2 years of experience.
- Allow them to take a modified Diploma in Pharmacy exam after undergoing a structured up- skilling program in theory and practical. This program could be designed by the Pharma Sector Skill Council in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of India.
Benefits of the Proposed Plan:
- Provides a permanent solution to the nationwide pharmacist shortage.
- Creates a career path for individuals who couldn’t pursue formal education due to circumstances.
- Empowers pharmacy assistants and fosters self-reliance (“Atma Nirbhar”).
- Increases the availability of qualified and trained pharmacists in remote areas.
Call to Action We urge you to consider approving this proposal to bridge the pharmacist gap, improve access to qualified healthcare services, and recognize the valuable contribution of pharmacy assistants. We are confident that this initiative will significantly benefit the Indian healthcare system and the pharmacy workforce. We are prepared to discuss the proposal further and provide any additional information needed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
General Secretary
Pharmacy Aide Welfare Association