Pharmacy profession in India: Current scenario and Recommendations

The Profession of Pharmacy is an integral part of the healthcare system worldwide. Pharmacies with well-organized practice can go a long way to ensure quality health care for the patient. In the past, pharmacists were responsible for dispensing medications only. Slowly, the traditional role of pharmacists is expanding and now pharmacists are playing a role as a vital team member in the direct care of patients, especially the new generation pharmacists who have Pharm. Ds. Pharmacists play a major role in providing healthcare services by means of community pharmacy services in rural areas where physicians are not available or where physician services are too costly for meeting the healthcare necessities. Many reforms are yet needed to improve job satisfaction among Indian pharmacists such as higher salaries, more job opportunities in government offices, recognition of pharmacists as health care professionals and changes in the Pharm. D and pharmacy curriculum. This report looks at the current issues with the pharmacy profession in India and provides possible recommendations to improve job satisfaction among India pharmacists.