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The Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council ( MSPC) has made a proposal to the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) that, similar to the prefix, ‘Dr’, used by medical professionals like physicians, surgeons and dentists, the PCI should consider a prefix like ‘Pr’ or ‘Ph’ for the registered pharmacists in the country to use with their names.
MSPC has informed the PCI secretary that the executive council of the MSPC has discussed the matter twice and passed a resolution to intimate the decision to the central council for a national debate. All the state pharmacy councils and other stakeholders including pharmacy institutions should also be brought into a common platform to discuss the matter.
The decision must be taken by the PCI and the approval for the use of it be granted to all the registered pharmacists in the country through their respective state councils. With this the status of the pharmacy profession and that of the professionals would be recognized by all and sundry, says Atul Ahire in his letter sent to the secretary of the PCI yesterday.
Later while talking to Pharmabiz, Ahire said a prefix with the name of a registered pharmacist would help distinguish him from other individuals who have no pharmacy qualification. Pharmacy profession is part of the healthcare management system, so it needs to be recognized and distinguished by others. The use of prefix would serve as a mark of recognition for their qualification and profession. He said he had earlier discussed the matter with the central leaders of the council and tried to bring it as a subject of discussion in the executive committee of the PCI. But, at the same time, the state pharmacy council of Maharashtra recently discussed this matter and passed a resolution in this regard.
Pointing to the need of a prefix he said the MSPC has found that a prefix like ‘Pr’ or ‘Ph’ would lead to increased patient trust, especially for a community or clinical pharmacist, taking into consideration the fact that patients would be able to easily identify qualified pharmacists, fostering trust and confidence when seeking medication or healthcare advice. Further, according to Ahire, a prefix would instill a sense of pride and accomplishment among registered pharmacists and it would motivate them to excel in their field.
Meanwhile, an association of registered pharmacists in Bihar has already started using the prefix, ‘DRx’, with their names. The meaning of the prefix is drug expert. In some other north eastern states and north India, some pharmacists are using the prefix, ‘RPh’ which means registered pharmacist.
Ahire said he has discussed the matter with JS Shinde, EC member of the PCI and president of the AIOCD. The copy of the letter has also been sent to Vijay Patil, EC member of the MSPC and member of the PCI.
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