Pharm D grads intensify stir

Tirupati: The agitating Pharm D (Doctor of Pharmacy) graduates were gradually intensifying their fight with novel protests. On Thursday, they organised a rally from Municipal Corporation Office to Head Post Office here and sent post cards to Chief Minister, Prime Minister, Pawan Kalyan and Health Minister to draw their attention towards their demands.

Later, in the evening they burnt the copies of their Pharm D certificates by sitting on the road opposite Corporation office for some time which caused traffic jam. The leaders along with their parents organised a press meet during the day.

Speaking to the media, Pharm D Association President Dr Rajasekhar said no official came to meet 400 Pharm D graduates including 200 girls, who were fighting to get their demands resolved “This fight is of 10 years old and we are asking to give a cadre as Clinical Pharmacist to us.

This is not against government,” he reiterated. We have met all the leaders before starting relay fast, he said and added no one has responded till now. “If the government is not willing to run the course, it should immediately close it and save thousands of students in future,” he demanded.

One of the parents said, their children were fighting for their demands only and not against college managements and appealed to them not to threaten their wards. “As parents we understand their problems and gave permission to them to go on to the streets.

They were not asking to create new hospitals but asking for creation of cadre in the existing hospitals,” they said. Countries like Canada to Ethiopia have recognised Pharm D degree and clinical pharmacists occupy an important place there, they said.

The students during their agitation were saying that Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) had introduced the course without any exercise and spoiled the careers of thousands of students. “Though the subject belongs to Ministry of Health, how can a technological university give recognition to the course and issue certificates,” they asked.

Meanwhile, college managements were threatening the students to call of their strike otherwise they will be detained and has to face severe consequences. They want the district officials to take the problem to the notice of the government for a solution.