IPA, Manipur State Branch submits memorandum to Governor
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 13 2024: The Indian Pharmacist Association (IPA), Manipur State Branch has submitted a memorandum to the Governor Anusuiya Uikey seeking her support in strengthening the Drug Regulatory System and pharmacy profession in Manipur.

"India is celebrating its 75th Independence Day across the Nation and Manipur being a part of India is enjoying the same.

But we are sorry to say that Manipur is far behind in comparison with other States regarding the Drug Regulatory System", said the memorandum signed by Sapam Sharatchandra Singh, general secretary, IPA, Manipur State Branch.

In the memorandum, the IPA highlighted Article 246 of the Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule, List III (concurrent list) which clearly shows that 19 items of drug lies in the hands of the Parliament and Legislature of Each States.

"However we can see some areas where the Legislature of some States are not taking up any positive response", it added.

The IPA also pointed out some problem in this area- Till date Manipur does not have any "Drugs Testing Laboratory" and it is the only State which does not have such facility.

Recently an advertisement for appointment of staffs as well as Government Analyst was published for the purpose on contract basis on February 27, 2024, but it became inapplicable as compared to the existing Recruitment Rules prescribed in Rule No 44 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rule 1945, and no further proceedings has been taken up neither from the Directorate of Health nor from Secretariat Health Department till date.

The total number of sanctioned posts of Pharmacist in the Department of Health, Government of Manipur is 356.Out of these, 125 (114 Pharmacist and 11 resultant Vacancy Of Medical Store Officer) posts are lying vacant.

Further, 11 posts of Medical Store Officers (MSO) are also lying vacant.

It is to be filled by promotion from amongst the feeder post of Pharmacist.

However, neither the Department nor the Secretariat Health Department are taking up any steps to fill up the vacant sanctioned posts, hampering the Healthcare Delivery System in the State.

Manipur has only one Poly-Technique established in 1995, offering Diploma Course in Pharmacy.

Despite repeated appeals from the State Pharmacy Council and other Non-Government Organisations to upgrade the Government Polytechnic, the Government has not taken any initiative so far.

In regard to Drug Regulation, the State Government has not taken up any appropriate action for filling up the 11 vacant posts of Drugs Inspectors or created posts like State Drugs Controller/ Joint/ Additional/ Deputy Drugs Controller in the Department of Health.

The Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) has not conducted any recruitment for Drug Inspectors in the last 15 years.

Lastly, the State Drugs information Centre is also not created in Manipur.

Further, the IPA asserted that neglecting the Pharmacy Profession is synonymous to neglecting the backbone of the public health care delivery system and urged the Governor to look into the matter in the interest of the Pharmacy Profession as well as the public.

Comment