STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: President, Jammu Kashmir Government Pharmacists Association (JKGPA) and newly elected National General Secretary of All India Government Pharmacists Association, Sushil Sudan, today demanded affiliation of J and K Pharmacy Council with the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) for a check on fake pharmacists in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and encouragement to genuine ones.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Sudan explained that Diploma in Pharmacy course, being offered by various colleges in J and K are not as per the guidelines of Pharmacy Council of India because of which even the trained/qualified pharmacists of J and K are not eligible to apply for any post of Pharmacist, advertised by Central Government Departments, Central Paramilitary Forces, Railways etc.Further, he added, in the absence of affiliation with Pharmacy Council of India, the J and K Drug Control Department has been issuing Chemists and Drug Licenses to the unskilled, non-professional persons on the fake experience certificates thus putting the health of innocent people at great risk.
“Due to this policy and malpractice, the drug licenses are being issued to Rehariwalas, Halwai, Cartowners and several political workers, who have zero knowledge of drugs and medicines. These unskilled persons are engaged in malpractices, particularly in rural areas putting the health of innocent patients at great risk and also demoralising trained and professional pharmacists,” Sushil further said and stressed for urgency of the affiliation of J&K Pharmacy Council with Pharmacy Council of India.