If pharmacists in abroad can get status like a doctor, then why not in India: Dr. Pankaj Patel

If pharmacists in abroad can get status like a doctor, then why not in India: Dr. Pankaj Patel

Ahmedabad: If pharmacists in abroad can get the status like a doctor, then why not in India? This question was raised by Dr. Pankaj Patel, Chairman of Zydus Group. Addressing 400 pharmacists in a refresher course organized by Gujarat Pharmacy Council, he advised the pharmacists to update and equip themselves with the latest research as well as knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector. Science is progressing rapidly and we have to keep pace with the progress.

Role of pharmacists is changing. Previously Doctors were writing prescriptions and pharmacists were preparing packets of medications as per dosage. Now pharmacists are getting readymade packets and the role is dispensing. If you think well-being of the patients, you will get satisfaction of doing something for a cause. With the Development of healthcare research, age of personalized medicines. Gene therapy is example of such latest research, but the medicines are worth millions of Dollars means very costly. In future, patients will expect to get guidance of pharmacist after the consultation with the super specialist doctor. Council should develop a tech platform so that all the details of latest medicines can be available on a single platform.

Dr. C.N.Patel, member of Pharmacy Council of India appreciated the refresher course run by Gujarat State Pharmacy Council & said that around 40,000 pharmacists have received training under the initiative. National level authorities has taken a note of this. In this special programme to update the pharmacists, many colleges of pharmaceuticals are also playing major role. Besides this, the council has started Drug Information Centre to provide the detail of medications.

On this occasion, Montukumar Patel, President of Gujarat State Pharmacy Council remembered about the contribution of Ramanbhai Patel, Founder of Zydus Group and told about how he gave 22 years of contribution for the development of the council. Second generation Pankajbhai gave guidance & inspiration to all of us and now I express hope that in future we will get similar support from his 3rd generation too. We are planning a scheme if any member visits office of the council his work can be completed within 30 minutes. Due to efforts of the council, pharmacists will get revised grade pay benefits soon. E-pharmacy draft was having several anomalies. So we took prompt action and pro-actively made presentation of 21 points. Now we are planning to take up the issue further with the support of councils of other states. Dr.M.M. Prabhakar, Superintendent of Civil Hospital, Hitesh Bhuriya, treasurer of Council and Jashubhai Patel, Chairman of Gujarat Chemist & Druggist Association were among other dignitaries who participated in the inaugural session of the Refresher Course.

In the event, Newsletter of the council ‘Pharmazest’ was released by Dr. Pankaj Patel. In second session, Dr. Prakash Shah, Lecturer at Shantilal Shah Pharmacy College, Bhavnagar, Dr Chetna K. Desai, Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, B. J. Medical College Ahmedabad, Dr. Manoj Gadhvi, in charge Assistant Commissioner, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Palanpur and Senior Drugs Inspector at Commissionerate, Food & Drug Control Administration, Dr. Jayesh Patel, in charge Assistant Commissioner, Food and Drugs Control Administration, Surendranagar and Senior Drugs Inspector at Commissionerate, Food & Drug Control Administration, Vijaykumar Parmar, Associate Professor of Pharmacy in Sardar Patel University gave guidance to pharmacists. Council in-charge Registrar Niketa Patel presented Vote of Thanks.

In second day of the Refresher course, V.G. Vanzara, Additional Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Gujarat was the Chief Guest. He praised the digitalization of Registration and Renewal of pharmacists & said that due to this initiative, time and money of pharmacists will be saved. If any pharmacist pay the fee online, he or she will get receipt at his address. Employees and officers of the council are also going to various district for organizing special renewal & registration camps. At a time when government is implementing various schemes to make quality healthcare affordable, role of pharmacists will become wider. In Second session, Dr.B.N. Suhagiya, Dean of Dharmasinh Desai University & Dr. Sanjay Chauhan, Professor of the same university as well as Pradipbhai Parmar, MLA of Asarwa constituency gave the guidance to the pharmacists.