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...