Question : Shortage of Pharmacists

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is shortage of pharmacists in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether there is any proposal to train people who have qualifications like B.Sc. in Chemistry, Biology etc., in handling medicines through the module developed by Healthcare Sector Skill Council;

(c) if so, whether the Government has requested the several Pharmacists'' associations, to jointly work on a module to develop the skill of unqualified people having more than 5 years of experience in dispensing drugs under a pharmacist;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the response received thereon; and

(e) whether the Government has any plan to launch any course for unqualified people involved in dispensing medicines, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): There is no shortage of pharmacists in the country.
At present, there are approx.7.5 lakhs registered pharmacists in the country and annual intake capacity of Pharmacy Institutions in various pharmacy courses is approx 1.36 lakhs per annum.

(b) to (e): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to conduct Skill Training programs for 27 identified Qualification Packs with National Occupational Standards (QP-NOS).
As a part of this agreement, Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC) has developed a Qualification Pack - National Occupational Standards (QP-NOS) of Pharmacy Assistant whose role is to work under direct supervision of a registered Pharmacist.