Pharmacists Told To Work In PHCs Too

Urging qualified pharmacists to take greater roles in the healthcare sector, former president A P J Abdul Kalam on Sunday said they must be given a chance to serve at public health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs).

Speaking at the valedictory function of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Government College of Pharmacy (GCP), Kalam said: “Of the 6,000 pharma specialists graduating from our institutes every year, nearly 75 per cent are involved in marketing and retailing of drugs and pharmaceuticals. Only about 15-20 per cent engage in research and development, manufacturing and quality testing.”

“This has to increase and pharmacists must  form the interface between the prescriber and the consumer, and start working at PHCs and CHCs.