Tuesday 20 March 2012

Qualified, Registered and Licensed Pharmacist: What does it mean?

Very often we come to know the terms of qualified, registered and licensed pharmacist.
Some of us regard these terms as synonyms, and some others (like me, in recent past :) ) didn't bother to understand the meanings of these discrete terms.

As to my understanding:

Qualified Pharmacist is one who has completed all pre-requisites to become a  graduate from any pharmacy school. In simple words, He possesses a basic degree in pharmacy. 


Registered Pharmacist is one who has completed all pre-requisites to get registered by the concerned council or board of pharmacy. To become a registered pharmacist one has to qualify for the basic degree in pharmacy and have to pass the test if any, conducted by the council or board of pharmacy. In Pakistan, no such test has yet been set up; all you need to do is to become pharmacy graduate ;).

Licensed Pharmacist is one who is qualified and registered by the concerned board or council of pharmacy, and the very same council or board granting him permission to practice as a pharmacist. In Pakistan, as profession of pharmacy has not been developed, therefore licensed pharmacist here means a pharmacist who has been granted by pharmacy council to supervise the sale and distribution of drug at retail drug store or pharmacy; as well as to supervise the manufacturing of drugs in pharmaceutical industries.


In Pakistan:
Qualification of Pharmacist is the purview of the Institutions of Pharmacy recognized by Pharmacy Council.
Registration of Pharmacist is the duty of Provincial Pharmacy Council
and
Grant of License to sale of drugs is also the purview of Provincial Pharmacy Council.

Posted by at

57 comments:

  1. Anonymous28 February 2013 at 21:36

    sir m student of 4th year but m still so much confused about my profession 1st time m sharing this......v r not teached according to our hsptls n community or our country..whatever the subject?whatever we r studying all is happening in america/uk etc?. . .. ..kiya hamaray pas aisay log nai hain jinhu nau is profession k baray mai books likhi hun ya hamen q nai purhaya jata k hamaray mulk mai yeh hota so much confused

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown1 March 2013 at 13:06

    First of all I appreciate your question! and then I request you, not to be confused. Moreover, dont get demoralized.
    What I understand from your comments, is that you are not satisfied with the content taught to you.
    Dis-satisfaction from teaching is a different thing, and get gloomy about your future is an entirely different one.

    If you think then you are the victim of bad or sub-standard teaching, then good thing is that world isn't ended yet.
    You have access to books, you have your seniors, you have your senior pharmacists working in different fields at sparkling positions.
    I advise you to read books, and ask the educated ones if you find any problem
    Questioning is your right!

    Will write something more in this regard soon InshaALLAH!

    Kamran Zaheer

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dr.Khawaja Tahir Mahmood1 March 2013 at 15:18

    Good Effort by Kamran Zaheer. Some legal points are added

    Qualified Pharmacist is one who has completed all pre-requisites to become a graduate from any pharmacy school. In simple words, He possesses a basic degree in pharmacy recognized by Pharmacy Council Of Pakistan and awarded by the university / institution accredited by Pharmacy Council Of Pakistan constituted under the Pharmacy Act 1967(amended `1971) .

    Registered Pharmacist is one who has completed all pre-requisites to get registered by the concerned council or board of pharmacy. To become a registered pharmacist one has to qualify for the basic degree in pharmacy and have to pass the test if any, conducted by the council or board of pharmacy. In Pakistan, no such test has yet been set up; all you need to do is to become pharmacy graduate from he university / institution accredited by Pharmacy Council Of Pakistan ;)For Registration as pharmacist, pharmacy graduate are required to submit an application on prescribed form to respective Provincial Pharmacy Council(Punjab.Sind,KPK and Baluchistan)

    Licensed Pharmacist is one who is qualified and registered And has been granted Relevant License under the different Drugs Rules framed under the Drugs Act 1976 which has been retained in DRA Act 2012.These licnenes are for sale and manufacturing of drugs.It is added that in some countries,the terms "Licensed Pharmacist" and "Registered Pharmacist" are used synonymously.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Healthtotkay20 February 2014 at 23:06

    Dear Sir,
    Can i get pharmacy licences after M.Phil in Medicine Chemistry. I have passed my B.S Organic Chemistry in 2011.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown8 November 2014 at 11:58

      Sufyan Khan Sahib,
      Only graduates having basic degree in Pharmacy can be registered as Register A pharmacist in Pakistan.
      However, after completing the pharmacy technician course Or Pharmacy Assistant program you may be registered in Register B.
      In Karachi, Ziaudding University Karachi has advertised the said program for 2014 session, Whereas, Federal Urdu University also conducted the Pharmacy Assistant program in spring 2014.

      Delete
  5. Unknown6 November 2014 at 22:58

    sir,
    kia ap mjy bta skty hai k pharmacy k rules k ma ktni %age wala student eligible hota hai

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown8 November 2014 at 11:26

      According to the notification of Pharmacy Council of Pakistan in sept. 2009, Minimum 60% marks in intermediate (pre-medical) is the eligibility criteria for pharmacy education in Pakistan.
      (Remember, if you have obtained the higher degree e.g, B.Sc. or M.Sc in first division, even then your admission in pharmacy will be decided on the basis of your marks in Intermediate Pre medical.

      Delete
  6. Unknown2 January 2015 at 16:26

    Sir kindly tell me how i get my pharmcy liscnc wht z its procdure,i hv done pharm d

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous20 January 2016 at 17:04

    Sir, I am pharmacy graduate and possess valid license. Can you tell me how can I use it. I wanted to rent the license to some trustworthy store/industry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown1 February 2016 at 18:01

      You may have a valid registration certificate. License is granted against a premises where durg is sold, manufactured, stored etc. I will never advise anybody to rent his/her registration certificate for the purpose of obtaining a license. If you are working there physically, only then you can facilitate your employer in obtaining/ renewing license through your registration certificate.

      Delete
    2. Unknown15 January 2020 at 22:10

      Sir if pharmacist is registered in sindh pharmacy council will he be considered as registered pharmacist in Punjab as well or not

      Delete
  8. Anonymous3 August 2016 at 23:55

    Sir I just wanted to ask if I could get a drugstore license on the basis of my M sc chemistry (organic) degree.is it possible?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown4 August 2016 at 18:51

      I don't think so!
      To get a license for drug store you either have basic degree in pharmacy or a diploma of pharmacy technician.

      Alternatively, you can hire a pharmacist or pharmacy technician and get a license on the basis of his/her qualification.

      Remember, license is not granted to the owner of drug store. It is issued against a premises where a qualified person (pharmacist/technician) is available for dispensing.

      Delete
    2. Unknown2 November 2018 at 05:29

      I'm a pharmacist having license so if you want contact me 03332429585

      Delete
  9. Anonymous2 September 2016 at 19:44

    Sir what is the procedure and requirment to get license after registration?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown26 September 2016 at 17:08

      Please specify the area!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous25 October 2016 at 09:42

      Hospital Pharmacy in Karachi.
      Kindly what are rules and requirements of it including documentation requirements.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous25 October 2016 at 09:45

      Hospital Pharmacy in Karachi ,Kindly tell me what are requirements including documentation requirements for it.

      Delete
  10. Unknown26 September 2016 at 14:53

    Which of these are best in pakistan pharm d or biotechnology their scope and salary packages

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown26 September 2016 at 14:54

    Which of these are best in pakistan pharm d or biotechnology their scope and salary packages

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unknown26 September 2016 at 14:55

    Which of these have best job opertunities in pakistan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown26 September 2016 at 17:12

      As of 2016, job opportunities for Pharm. D. are comparatively higher.
      Bio-technology jobs will boost in Pakistan with the commercial production of bio-technological products. Apparently, it will take time.

      Delete
  13. aneesa10 November 2016 at 14:51

    hi sir i. i have applied for registration in pharmacy council Lahore for registration as pharmacist.
    but they rejected my papers by saying that i have 4 year degree. infact i have done pharm-D (5 years) and completed my MS From UK. Now, i m applying for PhD. kindly tell me now wt should i do? mean i have to reapply or contact pharmacy council to reconsider my previous documents?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown10 November 2016 at 18:39

    If Pharm. D is stated on your degree and there is no apparent reason for the refusal of registration. Usually they tell such reason. Do contact Pharmacy Council.
    Meanwhile, check the following:
    1. Check the duration of Pharm. D. on your transcript (Start date and leaving date OR similar description)
    2. Was your institute recognized by the PCP when you graduated?
    3. Check again the set of documents you have submitted. Sometimes they refuse if you didnt provide birth certificate or domicile etc.

    As far as admission in PhD is concerned.
    I don't think that registration from Pharmacy council has anything to do with. If you have equivalency of your MS from HEC then you only have to meet the criteria for PhD admission of that particular university.

    I hope these observations are helpful.
    Regards

    ReplyDelete
  15. Unknown14 November 2016 at 10:50

    I have done my Pharm-D from Hamdard university, Islamabad and it is recognized, as all my class fellows have their Categories, so nothiing to be linked with this.
    i have tried to contact Pharmacy Council, but they are not picking up my calls. do u have any other number or id through which i can contact them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown14 November 2016 at 14:13

      In this case you need not to worry. May be, they have not receive complete documents.
      Please check their website, for contact details.
      Without knowing the actual reason, it will be difficult to resolve.

      Regards

      Delete
    2. Unknown15 November 2016 at 16:59

      ok.
      Thank you!

      Delete
  16. Unknown27 January 2017 at 00:02

    AoA, I have done M.Com, Matric with Science & my age is 24. Am I eligible for admission in Pharmacy Technician? and after passing Pharmacy Technician exam, Would I be eligible to apply for Drug Sale Lisence?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Unknown2 February 2017 at 15:28

    Walaikum Assalam!
    Matric Science is in my opinion is the basic requirement for Pharmacy technician. Some universities may set higher eligibility criterias.
    After passing Pharmacy technician exam from a recognized university, you will be eligible to get drug sale licence in Register B.
    When you go for admission, ask the institute about status of recognition first.

    Regards

    ReplyDelete
  18. Unknown3 August 2017 at 12:34

    sir how to get liscence for opening a clinic on regestered base.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Unknown3 August 2017 at 12:35

    sir how to get liscence for opening a clinic on regestered base.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3 August 2017 at 14:45

      For clinic I am not aware that you need a license. For issuing a legal prescription, a valid registration from PMDC is mandatory.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous24 October 2017 at 12:08

    Sir, I have done Pharm D in year of 2016 and submitted docs for registration to Pharmacy council sind july 2016. I have not received my registration certificate yet. Kindly advise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown24 October 2017 at 12:18

      If you have fulfilled all the requirements then it should have been issued by now. Well, there are a lot of similiar complaint regarding Pharmacy council Sindh. When contacted, they used the mantra of scarcity of resources.
      Unfortunately, we don't have a proper forum to launch a complaint against them, if there is any, I am unaware of it.
      I advise you to continuously ask them about your certificate. Don't hesitate, its your right.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous28 October 2017 at 11:22

      Thank you very much for your advice. You are right about lack of any forum for Pharmacist in Karachi. I pray someone think about it to help uncertainty about pharmacist future.BR

      Delete
  21. Dr. Nadeem3 November 2017 at 13:07

    Hello Sir
    Hope you are fine. I am DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine) degree holder and i want to open a medical store.

    Kindly inform me if i can open a medical store (human medicines) on the basis of my DVM degree? And what i will have to do to get the certificate, can you please guide me about the procedure. I shall be very thankful to you. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown6 November 2017 at 13:57

      Upto the best of my knowledge you can own as many medical stores you can, but on every medical store, sale of drug should be supervised by a qualified pharmacist (all range of drugs) or by a pharmacy technician (some drugs).
      by the virtue of your degree you are not allowed to supervise the sale of drugs.
      Either get a Pharm. D. degree OR
      Have a pharmacy technician course.
      In your case, go for pharmayc technician course if you want to run the medical store on your own. OR simply hire a pharmacist.
      visit pharmacycouncil.org.pk for further details.
      Regards

      Delete
  22. Unknown20 November 2017 at 03:47

    How to get pharmacy license from pharmacy council of sindh board. I have received my registration from pharmacy council of sindh, but I like to know is there any requirement to get pharmacy license from sindh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown20 November 2017 at 16:10

      Assalam Alaikum!
      Please note that pharmacists get registered in Register A by provincial pharmacy council; which you have done already.
      For license, you need to have the address of a premesis where you are working; i.e, you need that only when you are working as a retail pharmacist or the expert in industry.
      Regards

      Delete
  23. Unknown8 December 2017 at 21:03

    Sir do i need a license after completing Pharm.d, if i want to work as retail/community pharmacist overseas? to middle east countries like Emirates, Muscat & bahrain accept such license i mean of pakistan ?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Unknown8 December 2017 at 21:06

    Sir please tell what the procedure for getting a license after Pharm.d.. im a final year student in Dow Ojha Karachi , I will get my combine marks transcript in February and as expected my convocation is on 30 March.. please tell me the procedure for getting license here in karachi

    ReplyDelete
  25. XYDRF24 June 2018 at 10:03

    sir i am a registered pharmacist in pharmacy council of balochistan. can i open a pharmacy in sindh ????

    ReplyDelete
  26. XYDRF24 June 2018 at 10:04

    please do notify if there is a possibility and also mention the procedure

    ReplyDelete
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  28. Unknown20 October 2018 at 15:56

    How much is the late fee , if one got the degree in 2013 and still not regiatered ??

    ReplyDelete
  29. Unknown21 December 2018 at 10:04

    I applied for registration certificate A but now th

    ReplyDelete
  30. Unknown21 December 2018 at 10:06

    I applied for registration certificate A now they are not receiving callif they pick they dnt reply im in other city how can i know if my licence issued?

    ReplyDelete
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