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The Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA) has urged the Rajasthan government to take action against the violation of Pharmacy Act at ESI hospitals and ESI dispensaries in the state. The association had recently brought to the notice of the state government about the issue of dispensing of medicines in 4 ESI hospitals and 75 ESI dispensaries in the state by the nursing staff.
As per section 42 of Pharmacy Act, only a registered pharmacist can dispense medicines to patients and whoever contravenes the provisions shall be punishable with imprisonment or with fine or with both. Even the Drugs and Cosmetics Act says dispensing and supply of drugs shall be carried out by or under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. And the drugs shall be stored under the proper storage conditions.
The association informed that the director ESI Scheme, Rajasthan, medical superintendent and medical officers in 5 hospitals and 75 dispensaries are violating provisions of the two Acts and human rights.
Abhay Kumar, president of IPA says, “This is due to the non-availability of pharmacists. With the help of fake registration they are getting the license of the pharmacist. In most places the Pharmacy Act is not being followed. We want the state government to be more strict and vigilant against such acts.”
Dispensing is a complex term meaning interpretation, evaluation, supply and implementation of a prescription. Dispensing include patient counseling means the oral communication by the pharmacist of information to the patient in order to ensure proper use of drugs and devices. Pharmacy is a professional and technical course. Professions are there to serve the people and nursing staff cannot be a substitute to a pharmacist, explained Bhupendra Kumar, national secretary, IPA.
There is no provision in Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Pharmacy Act for dispensing medicine to patients by any person other than a pharmacist. Therefore the violation of these Acts must be stopped by appointing pharmacists in these 4 ESI hospitals and 75 dispensaries for dispensing medicines at the earliest, said IPA.
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