Uncertainty looms large over fate of thousands
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Dec 24: Uncertainty continues to loom large over the fate of thousands of Pharmacists in Government service and the candidates pursing Medical Assistant/Pharmacist course from the institutions duly recognized by the J&K State Para Medical Council as the Administrative Department of Health and Medical Education is sitting over the proposal for their registration by Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Council.
Notwithstanding the positive approach of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), which has given its approval for recognition of the persons already registered under Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act that was repealed by the J&K Re-orgainzation Act 2019, the Administrative Department is adopting a dilly-delaying tactics over the proposal for registration of left over Pharmacists in J&K.
According to the sources, even after three months since the J&K Pharmacy Council submitted proposal for seeking an amendment in Section 32 (c) of the Pharmacy Act 1948 entitling the left over Pharmacists to obtain registration under the Central Pharmacy Act, 1948, there has been no response from the Administrative Department till date.
It may be recalled that the Pharmacy Council of India, which is the apex body regulating education as well as profession of Pharmacy across the country, has already agreed to forward its approval to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to insert Section 32 C in the Central Pharmacy Act 1948 for according special provisions regarding persons registered under repealed J&K Pharmacy Act.
However, there are around 2400 Medical Assistants/ Pharmacists in Government service and more than 15000 candidates who have either completed or pursuing the course of Medical Assistant/ Pharmacist from the institutions duly recognized by the J&K State Para Medical Council but not registered under J&K Pharmacy Act.
Earlier, these Medical Assistants/Pharmacists did not apply for the registration because there was no need for the same to join Government service in the erstwhile State of J&K and Medical Assistants/Pharmacists in Government sector were exempted from obtaining a license under provisions of Drug & Cosmetic Act 1940 and Rules there under. Similarly, the candidates pursuing Medical Assistant/Pharmacist course from the institutes duly recognized by J&K State Para Medical Council were primarily relying on the prospect of getting a Government job and thus had not applied for the registration, which was last resort for self employment in case they fail to get a Government job.
However, following replacement of J&K Pharmacy Act by the Central Pharmacy Act, as per the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, the Pharmacy Act 1948 has become applicable in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and now for the purpose of carrying out the practice and profession of Pharmacy, only those having B Pharma or Pharma D Course from a PCI approved institutions are eligible for the registration.
For giving one time exemption to J&K Pharmacists, including tens of thousands of Chemists and Druggists across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, who were facing the threat of closure of their outlets as they were not eligible under the Central Pharmacy Act, the PCI agreed to accord special provisions regarding persons registered under repealed J&K Pharmacy Act.
While the matter in respect of those already registered under J&K Pharmacy Act got almost resolved, President of J&K Pharmacy Council, Lotika Khajuria submitted a letter to the Financial Commissioner, Health & Medical Education Department on September 24, 2020 seeking Government intervention for registration of the left over Medical Assistants/ Pharmacists.
After no response by the Administrative Department, a reminder in this regard was forwarded by the J&K Pharmacy Council vide NO: JKPC-86/Estt/517-29, dated 15-10-2020. However, even after more than two months since the reminder was forwarded, there has been no response till date and therefore uncertainty continues to looms large over the fate of these thousands of aggrieved Medical Assistants/Pharmacists who are not at fault for being unregistered.
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