July 23, 2012
Article IV of
Republic Act 5921 (Pharmacy Law) clearly states the practice of pharmacy.
Pharmacists must remember every section by heart in order to avoid suspension or
revocation of certificate of registration / license.
If somebody approached you earn extra
money by lending them your license, think twice. The scenario is you are
working in a different setting; let's say as a medical representative. Yes, you
are not using your license as pharmacist to be a medical representative which
gives you an idea that you can use your license elsewhere. The question
is: are you violating any law? Yes, indeed! Here's the real deal, if you allow others to use your license that
means you will be registered in FDA Philippines. Now, if you are listed as
pharmacist of a certain company in FDA's rooster then it is your responsibility
to display your certificate of registration in conspicuous place of that
company. In doing so, your presence is needed in order for such establishment
to operate. What law do I violate? Here it is:
SECTION 28. Display of certificate required. - It shall be the duty of every pharmacist engaged in the practice of pharmacy either on his own account or under the employ of another to display his certificate of registration in a prominent and conspicuous place in pharmacy, drugstore, hospital pharmacy or drug establishment which he operates or in which he is employed. No pharmacist shall with his knowledge allow his certificate of registration to be displayed in such establishments when he is not actually employed or operating therein in his professional capacity.
FDA's inspectors visit all
establishments registered to them announced or unannounced. If inspected and
the pharmacist is not around, company/pharmacy owner may come up with an excuse
and would probably work the first time but not all the time. In short, sooner
or later your license will be suspended or revoked because you are a
"GHOST PHARMACIST". Not only that, if you are caught doing this
over and over again, you may become a "JAIL PHARMACIST".
SECTION 41 Other penalties..– Any pharmacist who shall violate any of the provisions of Sections twenty-eight, thirty-one, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-seven, and thirty-eight of this Act or any pharmacist, after his certificate of registration has been lawfully suspended or revoked, who continues to engage in the practice of pharmacy, suspended or revoked, who continues to engage in the practice of pharmacy, shall upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to a fine of not less than thirty days but not more than four months, in the discretion of the court
I'm sure you don't like what you've
worked for 4-5 years in academic school plus the honor of being "RPh"
go away as quick as a blink of the eye. Say NO to those people
approaching you for Php5, 000 (more or less) extra cash in your pocket for your
license.
In the Philippine Pharmacy Law, we
are not allowed to work as locum, meaning to hop on other's job for the time
being while the registered pharmacists is not present for some time. Just likes
what the doctor's do; they can temporarily replace someone in some place if
needed. I knew one big company who practice this in Philippines. The only thing
is they do it within company. For example, when the pharmacist of one branch
will not be around for some time, pharmacist of other branch may carry on with
the duties and responsibilities.
In European countries, pharmacists
may choose whether to work full time or part time. Part-timers are the locums.
They work from one pharmacy to another. Sorry to say, it is not practice in the
Philippines.
This type of set-up
is very much advisable not only because it adds income to pharmacists but also
to provide a safer public health since all establishments will be operating
with qualified pharmacists. I think it is better idea than putting professional
license in jeopardy. What do you think?
By: Editor, Rph
Hoping that ALL INSPECTIONS are done fairly... that there is no such thing as the pharmacist and/or owner are/is friends with the inspector...
ReplyDeleteEstablishing good personal relationship with the inspectors are totally fine as long as the intentions are pure. It is the responsibility of both parties to maintain professional relationship especially when their business and integrity are at stake.
ReplyDelete