 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 20: The Jammu Kashmir Government Pharmacists Association (JKGPA) held a meeting at the Jammu Kashmir Medical Federation office, Directorate of Health Services complex, Jammu, under the chairmanship of Sh. Sushil Sudan, President JKMEF and Member Pharmacy Council of India, and Bharat Bhushan Bhagat, President JKGPA. The meeting addressed various grievances and demands of the pharmacist community.
Change of Nomenclature: Pharmacists in many states are designated as Pharmacy Officers. The association urged the government to implement similar changes in Jammu and Kashmir, as the matter has been pending for years.
Creation of Technical Officer Posts: While the government created posts of Technical Officer Pharmacy in GMC Jammu under Order No. 457-HME of 2023, the association demanded such posts at all District and Sub-District Hospitals.
Filling Vacant Positions: Numerous pharmacist positions remain unfilled across the UT, affecting the functioning of healthcare institutions and public access to health services.
Regulation of Pharmacy Education: The association called for the Jammu Kashmir Pharmacy Council to regulate diploma and degree programs, examinations, and professional standards, in accordance with the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
Creation of New Posts: The association demanded the establishment of Block Pharmacy Officer, District Pharmacy Officer, and Senior Pharmacist posts at PHC and CHC levels, as well as an increase in Junior Pharmacist posts at various healthcare facilities.
Restoration of RMP Registration: The association requested the reinstatement of RMP registration for retired pharmacists, which was discontinued without explanation.
Prominent speakers, including Surjeet Rajan, Naresh Sharma, Pawan Kumar, Shiv Kumar, and others, voiced their support and highlighted the urgent need to address these issues for the welfare of the pharmacist community and the public.
The meeting concluded with a resolution to pursue these demands with the government for prompt action. |
