Bengaluru : The Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC) has appointed four pharmacy inspectors to inspect the pharmacy outlets in the state to ascertain whether pharmacists are physically present, and their registrations details are displayed.
The appointment comes in adherence to the regulations under the 26A of the Pharmacy Act 1948 and the Rule 71 A of the KSPC Rules 2022.
In fact, the Karnataka government had sanctioned posts for 10 inspectors, but the KSPC has appointed four candidates so far. In due course, the Council would fill up the remaining posts in concurrence with the order of High Court of Karnataka. These four pharmacy inspectors will oversee the pharmacy outlets, said Gangadhar Yavagal, president, KSPC.
The post of the pharmacy inspector is on contract basis but full time. They will be trained by the experts, after which they will start their inspections of outlets for presence of pharmacists, Yavagal told Pharmabiz.
The eligibility for this post is a degree in pharmacy from an established University and recognised by the Pharmacy Council of India. It is mandatory for the incumbent to have sought his registration from the Karnataka State Pharmacy Council. Therefore, a registered pharmacist being a domicile of Karnataka with the required qualification is of utmost importance.
The Council also sees the need that the prospective candidate has not less than five years’ experience of practice in the profession of pharmacy be it community or hospital, regulatory or industry or academia, he said.
The key role of the pharmacy inspectors in the State councils is to regulate the profession and practice the same. The key focus of the inspectors would be to ensure the right drug to the right patient is being dispensed. They will need to take utmost responsibility to ensure that drugs are dispensed by only qualified and registered pharmacists, he added.
Another role of the inspector would be to bring in a sense of discipline among the pharmacists and have a constant surveillance to ensure that no unethical and illegal practices take place. In case, if there are unlawful actions, it is insisted that the inspectors will need to take the violator to task, as per the Pharmacy Act.
Also, as per the Pharmacy Act any person purposefully obstructing an Inspector in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by or under this Act or any rules should be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine not exceeding Rs. 1,000 or with both. Beyond that every Inspector shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), said Yavagal.
Every effort needs to be made to implement the Pharmacy Act of 1948 and the Pharmacy Practice Regulations 2015. Moreover, the inspectors will have to play a key role in the Continuing Pharmacy Education Programmes that are conducted on a regular basis at the districts. This in fact provides an opportunity to keep them themselves updated on the new developments in the field. These events are more often supported by organising seminars, workshops that help to enhance the knowledge base for the pharmacist and be able to offer valuable services in the state’s health care delivery system, said Yavagal.
