With Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself according greater priority to health sector across the country, the health sector in Jammu & Kashmir also received greater attention during last more than four years. While irrefutable fact is that Jammu & Kashmir Government during last more than four years not only upgraded the infrastructure in Government hospitals but has also took several steps for career progression of the healthcare professionals to boost their morale for the purposes of deepening the spirit of public service among them. Bringing a major respite to those who have already completed or are about to complete medical assistant or pharmacist diploma courses from institutions recognised by the erstwhile J&K Para Medical Council the Central Government during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament recently passed Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Interestingly the said Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill, 2023 bill passed by parliament now allows all those who have qualified or are registered under the Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act to be registered as pharmacists under the Pharmacy Act. Knowing that pharmacists play a central role in the delivery of healthcare services at both Government and Private hospitals across Jammu & Kashmir, the Central Government by pushing through Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill,2023 in the ongoing monsoon session of parliament granted recognition to thousands of pharmacy diploma holders across Jammu & Kashmir. Notably thousands of youth having qualified medical assistant course or pharmacist diploma courses from institutions recognised by the erstwhile J&K Pharmacy Council of the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state were unable to seek employment, engage in private practice, or apply for retail drug licenses in the Drug Control Department for running the retail drug outlets. So livelihood of thousands of pharmacists has been restored.
The J&K Administrative Council headed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had twice proposed amendments before the central government but were unfortunately turned down on both the occasions for one or the other reason. At last the repeated interventions of the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha brought respite to thousands of those youth who have qualified medical assistant course or pharmacist diploma courses from institutions recognised by the erstwhile J&K Pharmacy Council of the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state before 2018. All goes well that ends well.
Since the amendment to the existing act, which necessitated approval from Parliament was the only way out, the Jammu & Kashmir Government had brought the issue to the notice of the Central Government’s ministry of health & family welfare and also even the Health Minister, Home Minister and Prime Minister of the country. Notably the J&K Administrative Council headed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha had twice proposed amendments before the central government but were unfortunately turned down on both the occasions for one or the other reason. At last the repeated interventions of the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha brought respite to thousands of those youth who have qualified medical assistant course or pharmacist diploma courses from institutions recognised by the erstwhile J&K Pharmacy Council of the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state before 2018. All goes well that ends well.
