The government of India last January issued a notification entitled Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015 aimed at enhancing the status and practice of pharmacy profession in the country. These regulations are the first comprehensive changes introduced to the outdated provisions in the laws governing the pharmacy practice. The pharmacy practice is currently regulated by the Pharmacy Act and Drugs & Cosmetics Act notified by the Central government several decades ago. The new set of Regulations of 2015 lay down a uniform code of pharmacy ethics, responsibilities of pharmacist towards patient, job requirements of a pharmacist, role of a community pharmacist and drug information pharmacist, etc. The new age pharmacists are expected to interact with patients, doctors and nurses in educating the patients in a collaborative care model. The thrust of pharmacy practice in developed countries has shifted from product to patient oriented with the implementation of modified drug laws favouring patient safety. Pharmacists remained more as an invisible community healthcare provider occasionally seen at the retail counters handing over medicines prescribed by the physicians. This is an opportunity provided by the government to all the pharmacist working in any healthcare sector which is directly linked to patient to establish their professional image.
A small step towards pharmaceutical care ethical practice and service to community will be a giant leap for each one of us in our professional field.
good one sir...
ReplyDeleteThanks sir. kindly provide your comments on the new regulation..
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