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Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC) will soon approach the state government to mandate a biometric pharma card to monitor presence of pharmacists at chemist outlets. The Council is discussing with the government to identify a private agency for development of a software to print 50,000 biometric pharma cards to begin with.
Earlier in 2013, the Council had sent in a proposal to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to help in its software development for the pharma card. But since NIC had not yet consented to the same, we are working to ensure that the Karnataka government will provide the required assistance, KSPC president DA Gundu Rao told Pharmabiz.
“Biometric pharma cards are the way forward for the pharmacy profession. We are confident that the government will now help to identify a private player and call for quotations. This card will transform the functioning of pharmacies in the state. Moreover, Karnataka would be first state in the country to implement the same. This card which is used for authentication of identity would strengthen the pharmacy profession with enhanced productivity and recognition in service,” he added.
Mandating the need for a biometric pharma card, former Karnataka Drugs Controller Dr. BR Jagashetty stated that the chemist outlets would need only a digitized electronic compact machine with a dedicated built-in software to make the pharma card operational.
During his reign as the Karnataka drugs controller between 2008 to 2013, Dr. Jagashetty had discussed the need for biometric pharma card with Dr. B Suresh, president, Pharmacy Council of India. Then he insisted that the KSPC should work towards its implementation.
The concept of pharma card is obligatory in the US. For fresh pharmacy graduates, the card would enable working at chemist outlets which is the best platform to chart their career path. It would not only make them systematic in stocking and tracking drugs on the shelves and sales but enable them to retain information about the medicine uses and contents. It could also widen employment scope for the qualified pharmacy personnel serving the private sector and academia professionals, he said.
“The pharma card holders would be able to work part-time at chemists shops. It would also offset the current situation having to man an outlet for the entire day. Moreover, it would provide the option of hourly service and movement from shop-to-shop depending on the pharmacist’s convenience. Since there is no provision under the Drugs & Cosmetic Act & Rules mandating that a pharmacist should work only at one designated outlet, it would provide the card holder to function at chemist shops anywhere in the state,” said Dr. Jagashetty who is at present VP, Legal & Compliance, Medlife.com.
Other advantages of the biometric pharma card are a professional identity and recognition by the public on the presence of a qualified pharmacist at the chemist assuring that right medication is dispensed, said Dr. Jagashetty, former National Adviser (Drugs Control) to MoHFW, GOI.
The Council has been working relentlessly with the NIC for the creation of the biometric pharma card and now we are convinced that the Karnataka government enables its speedy implementation, noted Rao.
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