Urged Local Governments to Create Pharmacist Positions
-11 June 2023 (28 Jestha 2080 B.S.)
The Pharmacy Association of Nepal, Rupandehi, has urged local governments to create permanent positions for pharmacists. Emphasizing that the sale and distribution of medicines must mandatorily involve pharmacists, the association has called on local governments to establish and implement such positions at the local level.
Speaking at the Second General Assembly held in Butwal, pharmacists highlighted that since the sale and distribution of medicines is directly linked to public health, it is essential to ensure the presence of pharmacists. They urged local governments to initiate work in this regard, reiterating the association’s core slogan: “Where there is medicine, there must be a pharmacist.”
Delivering his remarks, Mr. Kiran Dhakal, Central President of the Pharmacy Association of Nepal, stated that despite raising this issue from the very beginning, implementation has yet to be achieved. Stressing the importance of pharmacists in medicine distribution, he urged local governments to create positions and requested private institutions to employ pharmacists as well. According to him, such steps would send a positive message, while also addressing issues of unemployment and underemployment among pharmacists.
Mr. Ganesh Sedhai, President of the Pharmacy Association of Nepal, Rupandehi, added that unless pharmacists are positioned in every local health unit, challenges such as pharmacist unemployment, misuse of pharmacy council licenses, and lack of training for skill enhancement will persist. He called upon the government to take this matter seriously.
The association was established in 2015 (2072 B.S.) with the slogan “Where there is medicine, there must be a pharmacist.” Its provincial committees were formed in 2016 (2073 B.S.) and the Rupandehi District branch in 2021 (2078 B.S.). Mr. Uday Khatri, General Secretary of Rupandehi, informed that since its inception, the association has been advocating for the professional rights, welfare, and protection of pharmacists and assistant pharmacists.
The General Assembly was attended by:
- Dhruva Kumar Sharma – Founding President and Central Member, NPA Rupandehi
- Govind Prasad Tiwari – Lumbini Province President
- Kabindra Nepal – Press Advisor, NPA and President, Nepal Press Union Rupandehi
- Advisors: Sabhya Khanaal, Bhojraj Basyal
- Surya Basyal – Palpa District President
- Ramesh Sharma – Kapilvastu District President
- Ganesh Bhandari – Community Department Coordinator, Rupandehi
- Choklal Sapkota – Vice President and Program Coordinator
- Bharat Giri – Vice President
All speakers emphasized the need for collective efforts to safeguard the professional rights and dignity of pharmacists.
During the assembly, the following reports were presented and approved:
- President’s Report – by Mr. Ganesh Sedhai
- General Secretary’s Report – by Mr. Uday Khatri
- Financial Report – by Treasurer Ms. Sushila Banjade
The association also honored Press Advisor Mr. Kabindra Nepal on the occasion of his election as President of the Nepal Press Union, Rupandehi. The honor was presented jointly by Central President Mr. Kiran Dhakal and District President Mr. Ganesh Sedhai.
Furthermore, the following new appointments were made:
- Executive Members: Mahesh Pandey, Subash Gyawali, and Gunjan Dhakal
- Departmental Coordinators:
- Industry Pharmacy Department – Mr. Rabin Bhandari
- Community Pharmacy Department – Mr. Ganesh Bhandari
- Industry Pharmacy Department – Mr. Rabin Bhandari
- Municipal Coordinators were also nominated and presented with certificates.
The Pharmacy Association of Nepal, Rupandehi, firmly reiterates its commitment to ensuring that every local health unit includes a dedicated pharmacist. The association stands united with pharmacists across Nepal in its mission to protect public health, strengthen professional standards, and advocate for policies that recognize pharmacists as an integral part of the healthcare system.
