Bangladesh Pharmacists Forum, the largest platform of graduate pharmacists in the country, has strongly demanded the introduction of a modern salary structure for pharmacists.

The demand was made on Saturday at a rally, discussion meeting and press conference organized on the occasion of World Pharmacists Day at Waterfall Convention Hall in the capital’s Banglamotor area.

Forum President Md. Azibur Rahman presided over the discussion while General Secretary Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Tanvir delivered the welcome address.

Dhaka University Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof Dr Selim Reza attended the event as the chief guest. Among others, Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) Director and Head of Pharmacovigilance Department Dr Akhtar Hossain, and Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh Deputy Director Asif Hasan were also present.

In his speech, Forum President Md. Azibur Rahman said that the government must appoint clinical pharmacists and hospital pharmacists in all public and private hospitals to ensure better healthcare services. He also stressed the necessity of improving the salary structure of pharmacists engaged in the profession across the country.

He noted that about 90 percent of pharmacists in Bangladesh are working in the industrial sector as industrial pharmacists.

“Private companies need to be more attentive to improve their salary structure and living standards,” he added.

General Secretary Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Tanvir highlighted the forum’s initiatives to establish the rights of pharmacists. He also demanded the recruitment of graduate pharmacists in hospitals and the introduction of a modern pay structure for those working in pharmaceutical manufacturing companies.

Other leaders who spoke at the event included Senior Vice-President Anwar Majid Tarek, Vice-Presidents Zakaria Faruqi and Sohel Bin Azad, Joint General Secretaries Sharmin Afroz and Moruzzaman Khokon, Organising Secretary Arman Hossain Shubho, Finance Secretary Abul Fazal, Publicity Secretary Mominul Islam, Student Welfare Secretary Mahmudul Hasan, International Affairs Secretary Mamun Gazi, and Executive Member Mohammad Arif Khan.

At the press conference, the forum leaders placed a six-point demand before the government and private sector authorities, urging speedy implementation.

The six demands are:

1. Appointment of clinical pharmacists in all hospitals and healthcare centres across the country.

2. Introduction of 24-hour hospital pharmacy services under the supervision of graduate pharmacists in all hospitals.

3. Ensuring a standard salary structure and proper evaluation for pharmacists in pharmaceutical companies.

4. Formation of a community pharmacy network nationwide, with recognition only for pharmacies run by graduate pharmacists.

5. Strict administrative measures to prevent the sale of medicines without prescriptions, and appointment of graduate pharmacists as administrators at the DGDA.

6. Recognition that “Pharmacist means Graduate Pharmacist” with professional acceptance and modernization of the pharmacy curriculum.

The forum leaders said implementation of these demands would bring significant progress in medicine management and improve the overall quality of the country’s healthcare sector.