National Health Bill, 2009

Dear Pharmacists,

The National Health Bill, 2009 is under preparation. It has come to my notice that Pharmacists have not been given due recognition in the bill. It reveals that "Pharmacist" and various issues relating to pharmaceutical care are not included in the bill.

The pharmacist is the provider of "health care" to society by way of contributing its services in -

• Industry: Research, Manufacturing, Analysis, quality control of drugs etc.

• Hospital and Community Pharmacy: Dispensing of medicines where they come in direct contact with patient and play an important role as provider of pharmaceutical care.

In the light of above facts, I, as the President of Pharmacy Council of India, have suggested the following to the Ministry of Health and family Welfare, with regard to the National Health Bill for kind consideration.

• To include Pharmaceutical care under the definition of "health care".

• To include pharmacist & pharmaceutical care under the definition of "health care provider" so as to read under-

"health care provider" means a medical doctor, nurse, pharmacist, other paramedical professional, social worker or other appropriately trained and qualified person with specific skills relevant to particular healthcare, nursing, rehabilitative, palliative, convalescent, preventative or other health services, pharmaceutical care and any reference to "service provide" shall mean the same unless specifically stated otherwise;

• To include pharmaceutical services to read as under- development or new application of pharmaceuticals, medicines and pharmaceutical services

• To include definition of "Right to Quality Medicines" to be read as under- "Right to Quality Medicines" means right of everyone to safe and effective medicines.

• To include drugs in the third line to read as under- Ensuring access to underlying determinants of health: food, drugs, water, sanitation and

• To include the following as sub-section 1) after k)- 1) ensure availability of essential medicines.

• After sub-section (11)of section 14, to include sub-section reg. "Right to Quality Medicines" to be read as under-

"Right to Quality Medicines" means right of everyone to safe and effective medicines.

• After sub-section (n) of section 18, add the following sub-section (m) as under- m) ensuring rational use of drugs and pharmacovigilance.

• Best Health Care facilities can be provided if all members of Health Care team work in coordination, harmonization & synchronization with each other. Hence it is suggested to add representatives of central statutory councils regulating education and practice of health profession in the "Constitution and Composition of State Health Board" like-

-PCI

-MCI

-INC

-DCI etc.

• To include the following after sub-section g)- h)Promoting rational use of drugs, pharmacovigilance.

All the Pharmacy fraternity should stand up together and raise our voice against the injustice being meted out to us. I hope, along with the support of all of you, justice will be done to us.