A meeting was held at the Secretariat with the Diploma Pharmacist Association, chaired by Uttarakhand’s Health Minister Subodh Uniyal. Amidst a proposed phased agitation scheduled to begin on August 17, the association presented its five-point list of demands.
• Pay scales and sanctioned posts: Instructions were issued to examine the provision of the first promotional pay scale (ACP) after 10 years of service in accordance with central rules. Additionally, a proposal was sought to operationalize 391 previously sanctioned posts for health sub-centers.
• Dispensing rights and regulations: A report has been sought within one week regarding the implementation of the Pharmacy Practice Regulations (2015) and the authority to dispense prescribed medicines in the absence of doctors.
• Payment of dues: Expressing displeasure over pending allowances related to Char Dham Yatra duty, the Minister ordered that payments be made within 15 days.
The Minister stated that pharmacists play a crucial role in delivering quality healthcare services in hilly regions and assured that their legitimate demands would be addressed on a priority basis
