Lok Sabha Question No. 4342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-19
Subject: Job Opportunities for Pharm D Degree Holders
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4342 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH JULY, 2019

## JOB OPPORTUNITIES FO R PHARM D DEGREE HOL DERS

## 4342. SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH:

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

- (a) the steps/measures taken by the Government to encourage the job opportunities of Pha degree holders;
- (b) whether the Government has instructed the States/UTs for amendment of recruitment r for including Pharm D for post of Pharmacist, approving this qualification for various t posts,  considering  short - term  studentship/  scholarship  programme  for award  of  fellowship, writing  to  all  accredited  hospitals,  utilizing  the  services  of  Pharm  D  for  high pharmaceutical care in clinical departments etc., if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has reviewed the progress made by State s/UTs in this regard, if so, the details of the results that have emerged along with the number of Pharm D degree h employed after acquiring the degree; and
- (d) whether the Government has also instructed CDSCO, DGHS and States/UTs for inclusion o Pharm D degree for the post of Drug Inspector to widen the scope of employment for Pharm degree holders, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (c): Some of the steps taken by the Government for the Job Opportunities for  Pharm. Degree Holders are as under:

- i. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued Gazette notification clarifying that a person holding the Pharm. D qualification, being higher qu alification, shall automatically become  eligible  for  appointment  to  various  posts  where  a  person  holding  Diploma Pharmacy or Bachelor of Pharmacy or Master of Pharmacy qualification is eligible t appointed.
- ii. Pharmacy  Council  of  India  (PCI)  Regula tion  called  'Minimum  Qualification  for Teachers in Pharmacy Institution Regulations, 2014' have been notified wherein Pharm. D qualification has been included as an approved qualification for various teaching in pharmacy institutions in India.
- iii. PCI has also requested various Councils/State Governments to consider Pharm. D as essential qualification for various posts.
- iv. State  Governments/UTs,  Central  Ministries/Departments,  etc.  have  been  requested amend their Recruitment Rules to include Pharm. D as qualification for various pharmacy posts.
- v. National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) and Qualit Council of India have been asked to instruct all accredited hospitals to utilize th of Pharm. D degree holders fo r quality services.
- vi. Tata Memorial Centre Advanced Centre for treatment, Research and Education in Cance has included Pharm. D in One Year Fellowship in Oncotherapeutics.
- vii. PCI is already taking action to amend Pharmacy Practice Regulations, 2015 for incl usion of the post of Clinical Pharmacist with qualification, duties and responsibilities.
- viii. University Grants Commission (UGC) has already specified Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) degree as Master's level under Section 22(3) of the University Grants Commissio n Act, 1956.
- ix. Pharm.  D  has  been  included  as  an  essential  qualification  for  Patient  Safet -Pharmacovigilance Associates by Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission.
- x. Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has already agreed
11. to amend Rule 49 (Qualifications of Inspec tors) of Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to include the qualification of Doctor in Pharmacy (Pharm.D)
12. to amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to include Pharm. D degree as one of t qualifications for competent technical staff for manufacturing and tes ting of drugs.

Data of employment of Pharmacists is not maintained centrally.

(d) :  No .

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