Gurukrushna Mohapatra1, Dhaneswari Jena2, Abinash Panda3, R. M. Tripathy4, Jigyansa Mohapatra5, Parsuram Jena6
Pharmacist also known as chemist or drugist is the health care professional who practice in pharmacy, the field of health science focusing on safe and effective medication use. Every day millions of people across the world visit community pharmacists for their health care needs. The aim of the present study was to assess the working of pharmacists in the government sector of Ganjam District in the state of Odisha and difficulties arising out of their diverse role play. METHODS AND MATERIAL: It was a cross-sectional study carried out in the drug depot centre in the office of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Ganjam, Odisha between November 2013 to April 2014.A pretested scientifically designed questionnaire was used for collection of data. Data was collected in first ten days of every month at CDMO office drug depot. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics data in SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: Data were collected from 114 pharmacists among them 85 pharmacists were only from PHC (n). It was found that 49% had experience >20yrs followed by experience 10-20yrs (32%) and less than 10yrs was 19%. 48% had taken training for various programmes among them majority (23%) had taken training on RNTCP followed by NVBDCP. Only 17% had any training on supply chain management during the last 3 years. Regarding drug disposal 44% opined that they burned the expiry drugs and 22% returned them to suppliers. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist has significant impact on public health and improving patients quality of life in rural area, but in current scenario the activities of pharmacists need improvement.
