Lead experts from various pharmacy associations have advocated the idea of promoting the freelancing of pharmacy professionals. The main objective of this proposal is to overcome the shortage of registered pharmacists to dispense drugs and medicines in pharmacy stores and healthcare centers.

According to G. Koteshwar Rao, President of the Telangana State unit of the Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association, the main objective behind promoting the free-lance pharmacy profession is to overcome the shortage of pharmacists that are needed to dispense drugs and medicines in various pharmacies and healthcare setups. However, he stressed the need to amend the Drugs and Cosmetic Act and the Pharmacy Act to facilitate the registration of free-lance pharmacists.

Similarly, another pharmacy expert Sanjay Reddy, President of Telangana Pharmacy Association also felt the need to bring in changes in the regulatory systems governing the Pharmacy Act and the Drugs and Cosmetic Act to suit the present situation.

The primary benefit of this freelance service is the availability of qualified and registered pharmacists who can dispense medications to patients round-the-clock, both at hospitals or clinics and local pharmacies. Additionally, this service can be utilised by remote medical shops after their regular operating hours, a practice seen in the United States and various European countries, observed the experts.

If the Pharmacy and Drugs and Cosmetic Acts are amended to implement the freelancing of the pharmacy profession, it will allow the registered pharmacy professionals who are in the teaching profession, regulatory jobs, and in industry, to avail of freelancing pharmacy licenses could work as pharmacists in the community after their official duty time.

“The present Pharmacy and Drugs and Cosmetic Act does not allow the registered pharmacists to conduct two professions at a time. It is illegal according to the present Pharmacy Act. If the Pharmacy Act is amended to accommodate the freelancing of the Pharmacy profession then it will be a great help to overcome the shortage of pharmacy professionals in the pharma stores and healthcare centers,” observed Sanjay Reddy.