Shillong: The All Meghalaya Pharmacist Association hit a wall with the state government. They want answers. On Monday, the group sent a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma demanding a sit-down to resolve a backlog of systemic issues that have been ignored for too long. The union warns that persistent neglect is stalling progress in local healthcare delivery.
Pharmacists have specific, non-negotiable targets. They are pressing for a status update on the long-delayed Meghalaya Pharmacy Council election and a formal review of the Meghalaya Pharmacist Service Rules, 2025. Manpower is thin. The association demands the government increase the number of pharmacist posts to keep pace with the state's rising healthcare demand.
The group is also pushing for more Drug Inspector positions to crack down on law enforcement across the state. They want the government to adopt Indian Public Health Standards for staffing. Strict enforcement of the Pharmacy Practice Regulations, 2015, remains a priority. These standards ensure local hospital and community services match the benchmarks set by the Pharmacy Council of India.
The association also has its sights on the Pharmacy Assistant programme managed by the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society. They worry the initiative threatens the quality of patient care. "The initiative could impact the quality of patient care and the professional standing of the pharmacy practice if not properly aligned with established regulatory standards," the association stated in its letter. They expect a formal response from the Chief Minister's office to settle these lingering regulatory gaps.
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