World Pharmacists Day 2025 was observed worldwide on September 25 under the theme "Think Health, Think Pharmacist." On this occasion, it is worth reflecting on the often-overlooked contribution of pharmacists in our healthcare system.
Take the example of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Every day, thousands of patients queue at its outpatient pharmacy. Medicines are dispensed with proper instructions on use, side effects, and precautions. Yet, the professionals performing this crucial work remain largely unrecognised. Many assume they are ordinary pharmacy clerks, but in fact, they are registered diploma pharmacists-graduates of a rigorous four-year programme under the Bangladesh Pharmacy Council.
Each year, 1,000-2,000 diploma pharmacists graduate from 57 institutions. Admission requires a science background with biology and a minimum GPA of 3.00, followed by an entrance test. The course is taught in English, graded under the CGPA system, and demands a 60% pass mark-far stricter than most other diploma courses. Despite this, pharmacists enter government service in the 11th grade, while engineers, nurses, and agriculturists with comparable qualifications secured the 10th grade long ago. Proposals to upgrade pharmacists remain stalled in bureaucratic files.
Recruitment is another source of frustration. In a 50-bed Upazila Health Complex, at least five pharmacists are needed to manage pharmacies, NCD corners, vision centres, and stores. Yet only two posts exist. District hospitals and medical colleges face the same shortage-where thousands of patients are served daily by just four or five pharmacists. To make matters worse, medicine distribution is often handled by non-pharmacists, violating both the Pharmacy Ordinance of 1976 and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 2023.
The mismatch between demand and policy is stark. If one pharmacist post was sanctioned for every ten beds, services would improve while reducing unemployment among qualified pharmacists. Moreover, unlike other diploma holders, pharmacy graduates have no structured path to higher education. The introduction of a B.Pharm programme at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University or the Institute of Health Technology could solve this gap.
On this World Pharmacists Day, it is essential that the government recognises the neglected role of diploma pharmacists. Their expertise is indispensable for safe, effective, and lawful healthcare delivery. Proper evaluation, fair pay scales, adequate recruitment, and opportunities for higher education are long overdue.
Motasim Billah Munna
Pharmacist (Diploma)
motasimmunna96@gmail.com
