Shillong, Apr 30:The All Meghalaya Pharmacist Association (AMPA) has sought an urgent appointment with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to flag “serious and long-standing issues” in the pharmacy sector that it says are directly impacting public health and safety.
Representatives of AMPA said the existing service rules for pharmacists require urgent review and correction, as “gaps and inconsistencies are leading to misuse, lack of accountability and weakening of the professional structure.”
The association also raised concern over the “absence of strict implementation of Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) concerning pharmacists,” saying it is affecting the quality of healthcare services and rational drug use in the state.
Highlighting enforcement failures, the body said a “significant number of retail and wholesale pharmacies are operating without the mandatory presence of registered pharmacists.” It added that “misuse and renting of licences has become a serious concern, posing a direct threat to patient safety and public health.”
The association further pointed to the “lack of consistent and strict inspections” that has allowed violations to continue unchecked. “These concerns are not only professional issues but matters of public safety. If not addressed promptly, they may lead to serious consequences in healthcare delivery,” the association stated.
Meanwhile, AMPA has urged pharmacists to pay no heed to the announcement made by the Meghalaya Healthcare Association (MHA) to shut down retail and wholesale shops on May 20.
