Pharm D students up in arms

Demand to include provision for clinical pharmacist in govt hospitals

The Doctor of pharmacy (Pharm D) students staged a protest at Dharna Chowk on Saturday demanding the inclusion of Pharm D graduates in government programmes under the State and Central Health programmes organised by rural health mission and other national health programmes.

“Though the course started in 2008 neither the central government nor state government has created any cadre or provision to practice the profession,” said Dr Chandra Shekar, working president, Pharm D Doctors Welfare Association. Till date only eight Pharm D graduates got jobs in Hyderabad. Five in Apollo Hospital, two in Continental Hospital and one in Sunshine Hospital.

There are 1160 pass outs for the 2013-14 all over India and this number is piled up to 2480 students for the year 2014-15. The college number has increased from 29 in 2008-09 to 191 institutions by the 2014-15 and the expected to increase for next academic year. There are close to 2000 Pharm D doctors in Telangana state. Dr Satya Sunil said, “The Government needs to communicate with regulatory bodies like MCI, NABH and MOH regarding job opportunities for Pharm D graduates in Indian Hospitals.”