CGHS pharmacists welfare union demands 20% non-practicing allowance as given to doctors
Citing duties of pharmacists as clinical in nature and post
of a pharmacist in a hospital a full time one, the Central Government Health
Scheme (CGHS) pharmacists welfare union has urged the Union Health Ministry to
pay them 20% of the basic salary as Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) as is given
to the doctors.
In a letter written to the union health secretary, the
Chennai branch secretary of the association has stated that as per the Pharmacy
Practice Regulations 2015, a clinical pharmacist is eligible to draw
non-practicing allowance. Besides, since the pharmacist is posted against a
full time post, he is entitled to demand the NPA. Thirdly, as a government
employee in whose case there is ample scope for private practice, the
pharmacist is eligible to draw the allowance.
The secretary of the union said as per PPR 2015, a pharmacist
can do private practice in the way a medical professional does. But he is
serving at a post where it is necessary to prohibit private practice in the
interest of the public. So, this allowance shall be admissible to him.
Apart from pharmacists, only registered medical practitioners
(RMPs) are allowed by government to practice in medical field independently.
Pharmacist post fulfills all the requirements to receive the NPA incentive.
In the Regulations published by PCI through government
gazette, a registered pharmacist is authorized to practice pharmacy
independently. This increases the responsibility of the pharmacists towards
their patients and society.
Substantiating their arguments for NPA, the CGHS pharmacists
union stated in the letter that the pharmacists were vested with many
responsibilities in addition to dispensing drugs. He is a dispensing pharmacist
at the pharmacy. At the same time, he undertakes the job of patient counseling
also. In hospital he often becomes a clinical pharmacist.
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