A section of pharmacists began their indefinite fast on Thursday demanding that the government protect their livelihood.
The diploma holders demanded that the State government withdraw its order permitting graduates and doctorate degree holders to apply for the post of dispensing pharmacists in government institutions. There are around 3,000 posts of pharmacist in the government to which until now diploma holders were appointed. However, after a High Court verdict, the government had revised its G.O. that diploma pharmacists say has hurt their livelihood. M. Anandan, general secretary of Tamil Nadu All Pharmacists Federation, said the decision had come in the wake of the Tamil Nadu Pharmacy Council’s reply to a court query on eligibility criteria for appointment.
“We did a two-year diploma course and 750 hours of training in dispensing medicines, indenting, stock-taking and maintaining ledgers of medicine. A.B. Pharm graduate studies for four years and is qualified to work in drug manufacturing firms, become a drug inspector or analyst. A person with doctorate in pharmacy can become a professor.
