Chemists and Druggists or Pharmacy? DTAB decides on nomenclature
New Delhi: The highest statutory decision-making body under CDSCO, Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has given its in principal nod to replace the words "Chemists & Druggists" by "PHARMACY" in Rule 65(15)(b) & RULE 65(15)(c) of the Drugs And Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Once the amendment is done, all the medical shops in the country will be known as Pharmacy.
Often baffling, the term Chemist, Druggist and Pharmacy are at times considered synonymous to each other. This often leads to loss of authenticity of these titles. In a move to give trade of medicines better professional recognition, the Government will soon amend Rule 65(15)(b) and Rule 65(15)(c) of Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Rules, to replace 'Chemists & Druggists' with 'Pharmacy'.
The matter was deliberated in 55th DCC meeting held on 31.01.2019 & 01.02.2019 and recommended to replace the words 'Chemists and Druggists' by 'Pharmacy' in Rule 65(15)(b) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
It was requested to amend the Rule 65(15)(b) and Rule 65(15)(c), so that medical shops may be called Pharmacy as this is in concurrence with the international practice of calling a medical shop selling medicines by this name and also provide an identity and sense of value to the practising pharmacist at the outlets.
As per Rule 65(15)(b) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, the description "Chemists and Druggists" shall be displayed by those licensees who employ the services of a Registered Pharmacist but who do not maintain a "Pharmacy" for compounding against prescriptions.
Similarly in Rule 65(15)(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, the description "Pharmacy", "Pharmacist", "Dispensing Chemist" or "Pharmaceutical Chemist" shall be displayed by such licensees who employ the services of a Registered Pharmacist and maintain a "Pharmacy" for compounding against prescription.
However, in the current scenario, the compounding of medicines by registered pharmacists hardly exists due to the capable pharma industry in place in the country. The term 'Chemists and Druggists' was coined in 1945 and is quite old and has lost relevance and also at present the word 'drug' is looked upon as more clandestine and as an addiction for chemicals, hence not suit to refer a professional pharmacist.
Individuals who want to become pharmacists will need a Doctor of Pharmacy(Pharm.D.) degree. To be accepted into a Pharm.D. program, it is mandatory to first complete a pre-professional track that is typically a couple of years in length and includes scientific courses in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology.
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