City Reports

Pharmacists’ recruitment remains stuck in Rajasthan

There are about 17000 drugs distributions centers which operate in government hospitals under the ‘Free Medicine Scheme’ but only 2700 pharmacists are there for distributing medicines.

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August 6, 2018, 9:06 pm

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Jaipur:  Several students are doing diplomas and degrees in pharmacy across the state but more than 50,000 candidates have been waiting for government jobs for the past five years. Due to negligence and ignorance of the Department of Medical and Health, the recruitment of more than 2000 pharmacists has got stuck.

In 2013, Medical and Health Group-2 had issued an order allowing the recruitment of pharmacists under ‘Free Medicine Scheme’ and approved the recruitment of 2112 pharmacists on the drug distribution centers, but it’s been five years and there is no sign of recruitment.

Unemployed pharmacists are hoping the recruitment to start soon. If the recruitment process doesn’t begin, the code of conduct for assembly elections in the state will come into effect.

As per officials, the file regarding the recruitment process has been sent to the State Subordinate Service Selection Board for approval. There are about 50 thousand registered pharmacists in Rajasthan Pharmacy Council (RPC).

Earlier, the recruitment process was stuck for several reasons. One reason was that the posts of the pharmacist were not sanctioned.

In the state, there are about 17000 drugs distributions centers which operate in government hospitals under the ‘Free Medicine Scheme’ but only 2700 pharmacists are there for distributing medicines. The question arises as to who is distributing the medicines at rest of the centers. As per the rules of the Pharmacy Act, 1948, the drugs can be distributed only in the presence of a registered pharmacist.

According to a senior medical and health department officer, Additional Director of the Medical Department has sent a file to the Rajasthan State Subordinate Services Selection Board for approving recruitment. f

First published: August 6, 2018