The All Meghalaya Pharmacist Association (MPA) has urged the government to recruit pharmacists in the state by adopting a fair and inclusive process.
According to the association, as per the information obtained through the RTI, there has been no recruitment conducted by the Directorate of Health Services.
President of the association Englebert Rynjah in a memorandum to the Health and Family Welfare Department said all pharmacists, sponsored and non-sponsored candidates should be allowed to compete for the positions.
“We also requested to further increase the manpower of pharmacists to meet the IPH standards in all the facilities, such as the District Hospital, CHCS, PHCS, and Sub-Centre and to appoint more Drug Inspectors (DI) in the state,” he said.
The association has also urged the government to increase the job opportunities for the youths who have completed pharmacy courses by inviting Pharmaceutical Industries to set up base in the State.
Further, the association also sought revival of the dormant pharmacy council and fresh election to the body.
The association said the last election for the council was held in 1996, and no elections have taken place since.
“We requested the immediate revival of the council and the initiation of fresh elections in accordance with the Pharmacy Act, 1948, so that important matters can be addressed by a duly elected body,” Rynjah said.
He said the government should ensure that the Meghalaya Pharmacy Council has qualified professionals to represent the community.