IPA petitions Guv to strengthen regulatory system
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 13 2024: Indian Pharmacists' Association (IPA), Manipur State Branch on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Governor Anusuiya Uikey urging for strengthening drug regulatory system and pharmacy profession in Manipur.

The memorandum signed by IPA Manipur Sapam Sharatchandra Singh pointed out that Manipur is the only state that does not have any "Drugs Testing Laboratory".

Noting that advertisement for appointment of staff as well as government analyst was published on February 27,2024 but has become inapplicable as compared to the existing Recruitment Rules prescribed in the Rule No.44 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rule 1945, it stated that no further proceeding has been taken up either from the side of Directorate of Health or from secretariat health department till date.

Sharatchandra informed that the total number of sanctioned posts of 'Pharmacist' in the Department of Health is 356, of which 125 (114 pharmacists) and 11 (resultant vacancy of medical store officer) posts are lying vacant.

Furthermore, there are 11 posts of medical store officers vacant, which are to be filled up by promotion from amongst the feeder posts of pharmacist.

Neither the department nor the secretariat health department has taken up any policies for filling up the vacant sanctioned posts handicapping the healthcare delivery system in the state.

Observing that the drug regulation in the state is also completely paralysed, Sharatchandra said that state government is not taking up any appropriate action for filling up the 11 vacant posts of drugs inspectors for which the recruitment is to be done through the 'Manipur Public Service Commission'.

Moreover, there is no creation of posts like state drugs controller/joint/additional/deputy drugs controller in the Department of Health with State Drugs Information Centre also not created in Manipur.

In view of the aforementioned facts and circumstances, it showed that the manpower section in medical department is incompetent and doesn't have any vision for the health care delivery system of the general public.

Pointing out that neglecting pharmacy profession is akin to undermining the backbone of public health care delivery system, he urged the Governor to look into the matter in the interest of pharmacy profession as well as general public.

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