In a move towards justice for pharmacists, Karnataka State government has approved new designations and salaries for pharmacists of the state. Pharmacists of the state under Karnataka State Government Pharmacists’ Association (KSGPA) had started strikes and agitation for their valid professional demands.
The new cadre has renamed pharmacist post as pharmacy officer. Graduate pharmacists will be promoted to deputy chief pharmacy officers. Below we are giving you new cadre and Pay Scales as per the notification.
| Old Designation | New Designation | Latest Pay Scale |
| Pharmacist | Pharmacy Officer | 20,650 – 46400 |
| Senior Pharmacist | Senior Pharmacy Officer | 30,352 – 58250 |
| Deputy Chief Pharmacist | 43,100 – 83900 | |
| Chief Pharmacist | Assistant Director Of Pharmacy | 52,652 – 92100 |
Further Karnataka Government Has given hope the Drug Information centers and Pharmacovigilance Centers will be established with qualified pharmacists in each district hospital.
It should be noted that pharmacy education and courses are backward in our country due to PCI apathy. It just require a 2 year diploma to become a pharmacist in India. Many colleges provide pharmacist degrees without requiring regular attendance and PCI keeps blind eye to such practices.
Pharmacy education, reputation and pay-scales can only be improved; and uniform cadre in country can be created only if PCI management rise above personal interests to make quick, reformatory and well intended efforts.