The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has opposed the decision by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to authorize candidates who are receiving the Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm D) from recognized universities to use the ‘Dr.’ prefix.

The Association stated that, “As this title reflects entitlement and identity, IMA is against such alteration from those who are trained in other streams of health sector to venture into medical practice. Such illicit conferment cannot become entitlements, just [as] in case if an advocate or an engineer should be called doctor by an executive order. Such social lawlessness will only create confusion in the minds of common man and its impact on the structure of a well-organized society will be visibly evident.”

IMA had said that, aspiration in any course needs to be legitimate and appropriate to be recognized, adding that the roles and responsibilities of nurses, physiotherapists, optometrists and others in the field of healthcare are irreplaceable and are in accordance with their entitlement.

Dr. Santanu Sen, National President, IMA, said that a pharmacist by any other name will always remain a pharmacist. Indirect entitlement to practice modern medicine created for a limited purpose is unacceptable. Such transgressions of entitlement are illegal and illegitimate. He also added further that the rules and regulations governing the practice of modern medicine are settled positions of law in India.

Dr. R.V. Asokan, Honorary Secretary General, IMA, said that the IMA has the duty and privilege to defend the rights of medical graduates. The IMA has already written to the Union Health Ministry and the MCI on the inappropriateness of the announcement by the Pharmacy Council.

The IMA had demanded that the Government of India to use its authority and settle the issue as per the law of the land. It has also urged the Pharmacy Council to take back the illegitimate order. The entitlement of a medical graduate is from the merit and the nature of their course. The purpose of the exam gets diluted by adding up other medical streams.