This document summarizes the results of a large quantitative study conducted in India on consumer perceptions, availability, role, and expectations of pharmacists. Over 3000 respondents across 4 major cities completed a validated 30-question survey. Key findings include: 1) Most respondents said they could access a pharmacy/medical store in their locality, with 39% having more than one nearby. 2) Common ways of identifying a pharmacy included signboards (31% in Bangalore) and displays of medicines (recognized more by less educated respondents). 3) Perceptions of pharmacists' professionalism varied, with 26% seeing them as primarily traders. However, expectations of pharmacists providing health information and advice were also high.

1. Article
Report of an All India Quantitative Study of Consumer
Perceptions, Availability, Role, Services Provided,
Medicines and Expectations of Pharmacists In India
Part 1- Report of the study on professional and general aspects
D. B. Anantha Narayana*, Kusum Devi1, Asha A. N1, Nimisha Jain1, Uday Bhosale1, T. Naveen Babu1 and co-investigators Roop K.
Khar2, Moitreyee Mandal3, Manjiree Gharat4
* Managing Trustee, Delhi Pharmaceutical Trust, New Delhi.
1
Dept. of Pharm.Marketing and Management, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore.
2
Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi.
3
Dept. of Pharmacy, J.C.Ghosh Polytechnic, Kolkata,
4
K.M.Kundnani Pharmacy Polytechnic, Ulhasnagar-3, Maharashtra.
Keywords: pharmacist, retail outlets and availability, first all India survey, quantitative survey
During 1990's most of the professional common perception amongst members of
Background & Objectives associations of pharmacy concentrated their the pharmaceutical industry/ profession
activities primarily on various facets of other than those involved in community
During the 1980-1990 lot of activity took
pharmacy other than that dealing with pharmacy is that pharmacists/ chemists
place which impacted the way medicines are
pharmacist /chemist at the end of the work merely like traders and do not provide
dispensed and sold through licensed any professional service and that there is
professional chain. Delhi Pharmaceutical
premises commonly called as Drug stores no image of high esteem for them in society
Trust (DPT)[ www.delhipharmtrust.org ] was
or chemist shops in India. Such premises in as shown to other members of the health
constituted in 1998 by a set of professionals
India are regulated under Drugs & Cosmetics as an off shoot of IPA (Delhi branch). DPT care team. Delhi Pharmaceutical Trust
Act and rules [DCAR]1 as well as Pharmacy initiated a number of activities all of which conducted a qualitative market research
Act & Rules2. Under both regulations these focused on helping the practicing pharmacist amongst consumers in Bangalore and Delhi
premises are required to be manned by a to professionalise and work to improve their and found that the situation is not true. The
qualified person who has the necessary knowledge and services leading to efficiency. results of the study brought out many
qualification and experience as prescribed DPT initiated Continuing Professional interesting observations about pharmacists
under the Pharmacy Act and also required Development programs (CPD) for chemists and their role including high expectations as
such a person to be registered as a working in Delhi and all their activities well as changing expectations from the
Pharmacist with the respective State centered towards Community Pharmacists. consumers3. In another study conducted
Pharmacy Council. The association of This initiative started a chain of reactions earlier, by Ramesh Adepu and B G Nagavi,
chemists had been demanding that such a across India with number of other in 2003., titled "Public Perception of
registration requirement under rule 65(15) C professional associations including chemist Community Pharmacists in the State of
of Pharmacy Act is not required and this associations as well as a number of Karnataka, India", in which many aspects of
provision should be deleted. However pharmacy colleges planning and conducting pharmacist's role were found wanting and
professional associations including Indian continuing education and training programs not meeting the requirements, to prove
Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), the for community pharmacists. During the last themselves as health care professionals4.
national body of pharmacists of all facets as two decades changes in the chemist bodies
Delhi Pharmaceutical Trust [DPT],
well as Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) have also reflected in more and more number
decided to follow up the qualitative study
argued that 65(15)C should not be deleted of qualified pharmacists (D.Pharm's,
already published with an all India larger
from the provisions and sale of medicines Graduate Pharmacists and in some cases
quantitative study. For this, the trust
even Post Graduate Pharmacists) taking up
definitely need supervision by a qualified commissioned a research study to be
jobs or setting up chemist shops as well as
pharmacist. The Ministry of Health after conducted in Greater Bangalore, Greater
getting elected to positions on chemist
consultation with all stake holders and after Mumbai, and National Capital Region of
associations. This has also brought some
careful consideration upheld the demand of Delhi and in and around of Kolkata (these
impact on the mind set changes in those
professionals and didn't remove the will be referred as Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi
involved in dispensing and sale of medicines.
requirements. Several cases in high courts and Kolkata). The study involved getting
of Allahabad and other states also have However, there have been many written responses to a validated question-
upheld putting such reasonable opinions expressed about the role of naire consisting of 30 questions, among cus-
requirements for need of a qualified person pharmacists, in various professional circles. tomers of different profile who have visited
in the chemist outlets as completely legal and Most of these opinions are at best the chemists' outlets. The study design and
logical and that the Government of India has perceptions of individuals not necessarily methodology was conceived by the first two
exercised their powers under sec 33 of involved actively nor form part of the authors and the active phase of the study
DCAR, in the interest of public, a fact community pharmacy profession in retail, was conducted between March 2009 and
welcomed by everyone. commonly referred to as chemists. One December 2009. A request to fill up the
For Correspondence : dptrust@gmail.com
12 Pharma Times - Vol. 43 - No. 04 - April 2011

2. questionnaires and send it to DPT was also performance. The filled questionnaire were which was -accepted and no further re-
made through other publications and some serially numbered, stamped with the region, validation was undertaken.
responses were received till July 2010. This urban or rural area from which they were The questionnaire had 30 questions
report is based on the responses received obtained, Questionnaires that did not answer and the responses have been analyzed in
from 3086 respondents across India, at least 50 % of questions were rejected. three categories:
analyzed using a dedicated and validated Table 1 shows the Number of Filled
Category 1: To cover availability,
software developed for the purpose. questionnaires (FQ's) accessibility, frequency of visits, identification
and gross image.
Methodology Table 1: Total number of responses city
wise Category 2: To cover professionalism of the
The research study has been pharmacist including drug information
S. No City Number Of
conducted using a quantitative method of provided.
Responses
research. For this a questionnaire was Category 3: To cover consumer perceptions
developed with 30 questions, in English, 1. Bangalore 754 on medicines and expectations from the
having either predefined set of responses, pharmacist.
multiple choices, or open ended spaces for 2. Delhi 764
responses, validated for readability and
understanding, translated to Kannada,
3. Mumbai 784 Results and Discussion
Marathi, Bengali and Hindi. Translations 4. Kolkata 784 All results reported below are those
were also validated. Printed questionnaire obtained by use of the analytical tool. The
were made with English and one regional 5. Total 3086
tool provides data as analyzed linked to
language for each location. Volunteers specific demographics. Analysis were carried
(students for pharmacy colleges) were Software Development out with linkage to all responses obtained
trained on the study, their role and work, from all India separation region wise, urban-
using a Training Guide. To meet statistical A search on the net revealed a number
of open ware software available which are rural, men- women, occupation, education
requirements, a minimum of 650 Reponses and family income groups. In some cases,
were obtained from each location, with at generally used for analyzing results of large
survey data whether obtained orally or analysis across these linkages was also
least 50 from rural respondents. Questions done. The data obtained, have been either
related to availability, identification, frequency through filled questionnaire for example,
those used for opinion polls. Most of them reported as percentages of responses/
of visits, accessibility, services provided by respondents or given in numbers or graphs.
pharmacists, consumer level of satisfaction did not suit for analyzing this study as the
questionnaire in this study consisted of more Such resultant data have been interpreted
currently and expectations for future, and the interpretations have also been
consumer understanding of medicines, their than one type of response structure. Hence,
a dedicated analytical tool was got developed recorded. It may be recognized that the pool
categories, Pricing, information on storage of data available is too large and more
and usage which they should know, by an experienced firm engaged in such
activities. Technical inputs on the study analysis can be done, however specific
medicines they perceive to be common analysis that have been done in this first set
medicines that do not need any prescription design, analysis required, expected outcome
in the form of tables, graphs, charts etc were of analysis to get focused information from
or consultation with a physician and how they the study are reported in this first part of the
rate a pharmacist etc. For developing the given to the tool developer and number of
meetings were held with the tool developer. report of the study. Additional analysis if
questionnaire a guideline to questionnaire required for any specific purpose will be
developments5, was adopted. (please visit A written expectation from the tool with built
in validation step was given to the tool undertaken. In this report, results of data and
website of DPT for the questionnaire). Since, the analysis for category 1 & 2 listed above
a study of this nature and magnitude was developer, along with a few FQ's. The
resultant tool developed was validated at the are reported.
being done for the first time in India, it was
consciously decided to make it open type and developer's end and then installed in the The results of analysis for category 1 &
hence a crisp paragraph was drafted about investigator's premise, with built in safety and 2 responses includes responses to questions
DPT, intention of the study, and a specific passwords. Student volunteers keyed in at serial no. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21,
request to provide their responses including meticulously the responses from each FQ's 22, 23, 24, 26 and 30, along with the
personal details of the respondents. As a part after undergoing a session on training for the responses filled for personal information of
of ethical aspect it was clearly informed to same. In each FQ a mark was placed after it the respondent.
the respondents that their identity and views was entered into the tool. After responses of
would be kept confidential and only the total all the 3086 FQ's were keyed in 10 % of the Demographics: Table 2 provides a summary
responses received and analyzed would be data put into the database were selected by of the demographics giving the broad
published. The respondents were also given the tool randomly for auditing and validation. As observed, rural population was taken
an email ID to correspond if they had any The respective FQ numbers that appeared into account more from Kolkata, whilst the
queries or doubts of the study. The in this 10% was physically taken out from urban population constituted from the other
questionnaire was designed with logo to the files and the data fed into the computer cities respectively Bangalore, Delhi and
indicate the profession of pharmacy. was cross checked for accuracy. The degree Mumbai. More number of men were seen as
of accuracy obtained was greater than 99% respondents as compared to the women.
The questionnaire at the end asked the
respondents to provide some basic Table 2. Demographics of total respondents
information about them, and they were told
clearly that this information would be kept
confidential. Ethically, only one definite Bangalore Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Total
contact detail was insisted upon so that if at
any time a need arises for cross checking, Men 488 653 511 597 2249
and to identify and get demographic Women 266 111 273 187 837
information, the region of the country, urban
or rural respondent. Rural 160 106 32 775 1073
The number of volunteers who assisted Urban 594 658 752 9 2013
the study in each region varied from 15 - 102
and no monetary benefit was linked to their Total 754 764 784 784 3086
Pharma Times - Vol. 43 - No. 04 - April 2011 13

3. Figure 1 : Demographic data for total men Further with regard to how often people visit a chemist/medical shop, among
the total population 67% said that they go to chemist shop when required only,
16% of retired said that they visit once a week, 23% of rural population said that
they visit once a month.
In Bangalore 72% of the population said that they go to medical store when
required only and 80% of the rural population has reported the same. In Kolkata
only 54% of them said that they visit the medical store when required only, 27%
of the housewives said that they visit once in a week. In Delhi 22% of the retired
population said that they visit the medical shop once a week and 65% of the
population said that they visit when required. In Mumbai 78% of the total
population said that they will visit medical shop only when required.
Surprisingly, there was only 4% of population who don't visit medical shops.
Results are displayed in Figure 3.
Figure 3. The perceptions of the respondents with regard to availability
of a medical outlet
As observed around 35% of total populationof men is from rural
areas, Delhi showed the maximum number of working people and
students. Mumbai showed the minimum of rural men. In Kolkata
more rural population was taken into account.
Figure 2 : Demographic data for total women
Responses from Bangalore Responses from Kolkata
As observed more number of women responded from Mumbai and
Bangalore as compared to rest two cities. Matriculate qualification
and self employment is highest in Kolkata among women. Graduates
and Working women are highest in Bangalore, Highest number of
students have taken part from Delhi coverage of the respondents.
Figures 1 & 2 provide detailed demographic data for men and women
separately which are self explanatory.
Responses from Delhi Responses from Mumbai
Access To Medicine Outlets
To find out whether people have access to medical Recognition
stores we asked them if they have medical shop/chemist
To find out how people recognize a medical shop, we asked them whether
shop near their house or in their locality and if yes what is they can identify a medical shop by sign board, green cross or Red Cross or by
the number of such shops. the display of medicines.
An overall analysis on access to an outlet reveals that In Bangalore, students, retired and working people can recognize a medical
irrespective of the regional difference, accessibility of a shop with a Green color Cross sign as compared to housewives who are
medical shop for consumers is the same. The density of recognizing by red color sign, which is the sign for Red Cross. Graduates and
medical shops in urban areas is more than that in rural areas. higher qualified people can recognize a medical shop by sign board and green
Only 12% people think they don't have a medical shop in cross while SSLC and Non-Matriculates people are recognizing by display of
their locality and 88% have at least one shop out of with medicines. Overall around 31% people can recognize medical shop by a sign
39% have more than one. board in Bangalore with lesser percentages recognizing by other signs. In Kolkata,
14 Pharma Times - Vol. 43 - No. 04 - April 2011

4. almost 50% of population identify a medical badges while 34% want only White coat and To further confirm the adequate storage
shop by sign board. Surprisingly housewives 23% only ID badges. Around half of Non- of medicines we asked people whether they
in rural area showed maximum identification matriculate people want him to wear white have seen the chemist taking out medicines
of medical shop by green cross and coat, which might be because of their lower from fridge and giving it to customers.
signboard. In Delhi most of students are education status. In Delhi and Kolkata around
aware and can recognize chemist shop by 50% want both, while 31% in Delhi want only Out of the total population 78% people
have seen a chemist taking off medicines out
green cross and sign board. Only 50% white coat and 32% in Kolkata want only ID
population in Delhi can identify correctly by badge. In Mumbai around 50% want him to of a fridge. Majority of the High income group
green cross and sign board as compared to wear only ID badge which can be probably (85%) have seen the same while the majority
of the low income group and non matriculates
67% in Mumbai. Around 50% of housewives more authentic as compared to a white coat.
in urban area of Delhi have perception of Red have said that they have never seen a
Cross for medical shops. Majority of the people want the chemist take medicines from a fridge.
pharmacist to wear both white coat as well
An overall analysis on recognition In Bangalore 41% of the non matricu-
as ID badges, which aid them in identifying
reveals that 37% of people can recognize the pharmacist. On all India basis 50% lates also are of the same opinion, of not
medical shop by signboard and 24% by people want him to wear both, and out of the having seen the chemist taking medicines
green cross. Qualified people can better out from a fridge. While the high income
remaining 50%, half wants only ID badge and
identify a medical shop as compared to the the other half wants only White coat. group reported to have seen the chemist
other strata's. However survey shows that all the taking out medicines from a fridge. 26% of
the Kolkata population said that they haven't
There is a need to improve the respondents are in favor of having a
awareness that green cross is associated particular dress code for the pharmacist and seen the chemist take medicines out of the
with pharmacy (medical shop). Hence this probably improves the professional fridge while dispensing, where majority of the
rural population is covered and 20%
initiatives should be taken to recognize the status of the pharmacist.
profession of pharmacy by green cross. population of Mumbai and Delhi also say the
Perception Towards same.
Identification Appearance of Medical Overall, people have seen a fridge and
the chemist taking out medicines from a
To find out whether the people are able Store fridge as well, implying adequate storage of
to identify the qualified or the trained
pharmacist in the medical shops we asked To find out about the perception of medicines. However around 20% respon-
them whether they are able to identify the people about proper maintenance and dents have not seen a fridge, principally in
trained person or not. We found out that storage of medicines in the medical shops the rural areas and this could be a cause for
majority of the people cannot identify a we asked them whether the medicines were concern.
trained person across all cities covered in stored neatly and properly in the store and
the survey. An overall 56% of urban people was the pharmacist able to get the correct
Information To The
can identify trained person in a pharmacy as medicines easily and quickly. Consumer Regarding
compared to 43% of rural population.
Across all four cities people think and Shelflife
In Bangalore 70% of rural population
agree with the fact that the medicines are
cannot identify the trained person in the To find out if the chemist is giving
arranged neatly and properly (78%). In
medical shop. A higher percentage of people information regarding the shelf-life or expiry
Mumbai where the majority population date of medicines we asked people if the
with higher education are able to identify the
considered is urban, around 90% people feel chemist has ever provided them with such
qualified person as compared to less
medicines are arranged neatly, and it is the information.
educated people, for example 75% of Non-
highest among other cities. In Kolkata where
matriculate people cannot identify a trained
survey is mainly concentrated in the rural Of the total population, 55% of people
person. In Delhi, 71% people are able to
areas, only 62% people feel medicines are were not informed about the expiry date of
identify a trained person and surprisingly
arranged neatly. This may suggests that the medications, which is extremely
80% of housewives and 75% of Non-
there should be improvement in arrangement important as a factor to be considered while
matriculates were also able to identify the
of medicines in medical stores in rural areas. dispensing medications. 63% of retired
qualified person. In Mumbai only 50% of the
In the national capital Delhi which is also population and 58% of mid income group are
population, (out of which 96% is from urban
mainly concentrated on urban areas 80% of the same opinion. In Bangalore 69% of
areas) are able to identify the trained person.
people feel medicines are arranged properly. the population, say that chemists do not
While in Kolkata also only 41% can identify
In Bangalore also 82% population fells that explain about the expiry date of the
trained people (out of which 96% is from rural
medicines are arranged neatly. medication. 78% of the rural population and
areas). The results indicate the need for the
low income group, 73% of the retired
Pharmacist to do more to distinguish Further to get information about the population have the same opinion. In Kolkata
themselves from other support staff in the storage of medicines we asked people if they 64 % of the students say that the chemists
outlets have seen a refrigerator in the medicines never explained them about the expiry date
Look/Appearance of store where they buy medicines. of the medications. Surprisingly the non-
matriculate people have said that chemists
Pharmacist Majority of people agree to have had
have explained about the expiry date of the
seen a fridge within the pharmacy premises.
To find out what can aid in the better medicine in the city. In Mumbai also, mid
In Bangalore 89% have seen a fridge, in income group and non matriculates and
identification of trained or qualified person Mumbai 83% seen a fridge, and in Delhi and
in medical shops we asked people about SSLC people felt that chemists never
Kolkata also good number of people have explained about the expiry date of the
what chemist should wear while giving the seen fridge in medical shops. Over all a good
medicines. They were given options of white medicine.
visibility of fridge can be seen across the
coat/ identity badges or both. country in medical shops proving that the It has to be noted that, the information
In Bangalore, 43% people want medicines are being stored as per their about the expiry date of the medications is
pharmacist to wear both white coat and ID requirement. important information which has to be
Pharma Times - Vol. 43 - No. 04 - April 2011 15

5. communicated to the medicine buyers and 45% of retired population are also of the getting license to run a medical store.
particularly so to the people from low income same opinion. In Bangalore, 57% said D. Pharma and
groups, rural and retired population due to 31 % said B.Pharm is the minimum
In addition it was also asked the
their lack of proper education or dependency qualification of a chemist. In Mumbai, Kolkata
consumers if anytime they were asked to
on the chemist. and Delhi, 72%, 63% and 54% of people feel
bring a "Cool Pack" or a "flask" before buying
D.Pharm is the minimum qualification of a
Information Provided on any specific medicines. Out of the total
chemist respectively.
population, 89% are of the opinion that either
Storage of Medicines chemist didn't inform the customers to get a
cool pack or they don't know what a cool pack
Trustworthiness of a
To find about whether the chemist is
giving information about the proper storage is as far as medicines are concerned. It is Pharmacist
of medicines after their purchase a query in encouraging to note that nearly 60% of the
To determine whether people trust their
this regard was posed to the respondents. consumers pan India, opine that chemist is
chemist, we asked them if they think that a
giving them information about the proper
58% of the total populations agree to chemist is a good source of information on
storage of medicines and it would be good if
the fact that the chemists explain about the medicines. The respondents were further
all chemists would follow such practices in
storage conditions of the medications quizzed about the usefulness of information
future.
whereas 44% each of rural and retired thus provided.
population opined the contrary. In Bangalore Education Requirement The results are displayed in Figure 4.
51% populations haven't been explained by A query was posed to the respondents 77% of total population believes that the
the chemist anytime about how and where to determine their awareness about the chemist is a good person to ask for
to store the medicines. A similar situation was minimum qualification required to run a information regarding the usage and side
seen with non-matriculate (66%), rural medical store. effects of the medicines, whereas 23% have
(63%), and low income group people (60%).
It is good to find out that around 85% of the belief that he is not a good person. Rural
In Delhi, 43% of the students and 53% the people are well aware about B.Pharm/ area people believe in chemists more as
of the retired people agreed to the fact that D.Pharm being the requisite for qualification compared to urban people. Also 67% people
they were not explained about the storage as pharmacist, in fact around 61% of the total said that the given information has helped
conditions. In Mumbai, 49% of non population in all four cities are also aware them and both the rural and people feel the
matriculates, 44% of low income group and that D.Pharm is the minimum requisite for same in this case.
Figure 4. Results of the Trust worthiness of Pharmacists graphs below where,
A1Y : respondents who said the chemist is a good person to seek such information.
A1N : respondents who said the chemist is not a good person to seek such information.
A2Y : respondents who said such information has helped them to get better
A2N : respondents who said such information has not helped them to get better
TOTAL RESPONSE
PERCEPTIONS IN BANGALORE PERCEPTIONS IN KOLKATA
16 Pharma Times - Vol. 43 - No. 04 - April 2011

6. PERCEPTIONS IN DELHI PERCEPTIONS IN MUMBAI
85% of Mumbai people believe that sound a word of caution that this should not Chapter IV, Manufacture, sale and
chemist is a good person to ask for lead to "complacency" but more needs to be distribution of drugs and cosmetics.
information and 75% have told that they have done by Pharmacists to take this to even 2. http://www.pci.nic.in/RulesRegulations/
been benefited by such information. 81% of higher levels. PharmacyAct1948/Chapter1-5.aspx.
Kolkata and 76% Bangalore people believe
that chemist is a good & trustworthy. In Delhi Observations and Authors 3. D. B. Anantha Narayana, Kusum Devi,
only 65% of people believe that chemist as Asha A. N. and Nimisha Jain "Percept-
an information giver, and only 62% agrees
Notes ions of consumers about Pharmacists -
that this information has helped them. The study has for the first time brought Report of the results of a Market
out documented quantitative data on the research conducted amongst consum-
Elderly and retired people (90%)
believe the chemist more and 75% of them availability of pharmacies/chemist outlets, ers in Bangalore and Delhi", Pharma
feel that the information given by the chemist identification of chemist and outlets, Times, September 2009, Vol 42, No.
has helped them to use medicines effectively. neatness, storage, belief in chemist and trust 9,15-18.
As majority of the respondents opine in their roles and work done. These results 4. Ramesh Adepu and B G Nagavi,
that a chemist is the good person to get point out that the visibility of "pharmacist" in "Public Perception of Community
medicine related information, such professi- the medical shop needs to be enhanced Pharmacists in the State of Karnataka,
onal services rendered by a chemist will go greatly. Pharmacists need to create a more India", in which many aspects of
a long way in improving the image of the professional image and ease of identification pharmacist's role were found wanting
pharmacist besides ensuring the proper within the outlet by wearing a specific dress, and not meeting the requirements, to
administration (use) of medicines. uniform, badge is highly necessary and prove themselves as health care
sooner the profession adopts it is better. More professionals". Ind. Jour. Hospital
Ranking of Pharmacists work needs to be done to almost create a Pharmacy, Jan-Feb 2003, 15-18.
brand image for a pharmacist that they are
Number of studies done in USA and qualified and trained persons, knowledge on 5. Dr. Robert Frary, A brief guide to
other countries report the ranking of Green and Red Cross signs, neatness of the questionnaire development, Place
pharmacist in their country for their outlets, information provided to patients. The based education evaluation
performance or service or behavior. In this authors also recognize that the study has collaborative available from http://
study consumers ranked a pharmacist in covered four major cities and surrounding www.testscoring.vt.edu/fraryquest.html)
their opinion for their ethical behavior, after rural areas, though the proportion of the 6. Readers Digest, March, 2010.
they have responded to all the questions respondents of urban and rural in each city
amongst a doctor, a teacher, a chemist, and 7. Jeffrey M. Jones, Nurses Top Honesty
is not same. Results of responses received
a lawyer, by ranking them in the descending and Ethics List for 11th Year. Gallup,
for questions related professional services,
order. In such a context the response to this December 3, 2010. http://
future expectations and medicines are still
question would mean "the consumers over www.gallup.com/poll/145043/Nurses-
under analysis and would be reported
all opinion about the Pharmacist/chemist". Top-Honesty-Ethics-List-11-Year.aspx
separately
Consumers ranked doctors first on an all
India basis and even at regional basis. It was Acknowledgements
interesting to note that a pharmacist was
ranked at number 2 higher than a teacher Sincere appreciations and thanks to all
and a lawyer on an all India basis and also the student volunteers for their contributions ATTENTION STUDENT
in each of the region surveyed. This is in line to the project and each of them have been
with an international finding reported recently given a certificate by DPT. Authors MEMBERS !!
in Gallup poll conducted in the United States, acknowledge the encouragement and
where pharmacists came in third position support by the Trustees of DPT and Student members are
behind nurses and military officers as the Principals of the four colleges of pharmacy
most trusted profession6. Also in a survey for permitting and encouraging their faculty
requested to access their
conducted by Readers Digest where people and students to participate in the project. We copies of Pharma Times online
were asked to rank 40 everyday thank Ms. Ritu Walia, of Consumer Science at w w w.ipapharma.org /
professionals and the Pharmacist was Department of HUL research, Bangalore for PTarchives.aspx.
ranked fairly high in order7. her constant encouragement and inputs.
May 2011 onwards, student
This finding is highly encouraging and
should be taken on board by pharmacy
Bibliography members will not receive hard
professionals who have been thinking 1. http://cdsco.nic.in/html/ copy of Pharma Times.
otherwise and have been critical of the public copy%20of%201.%20d&cact121.pdf.
image of a chemist. Authors also wish to The drugs and cosmetics act, 1940,
Pharma Times - Vol. 43 - No. 04 - April 2011 17