Recently, there has been a rising sense of frustration and discontentment among pharmacists about the working conditions they face. As a result, some pharmacists in the country may go on strike in a rare protest.
This mounting feeling of discontent stems from a range of issues. Many pharmacists are vocal about their long working hours, with some even having to work 11-hour shifts in row. Many have expressed their dissatisfaction with the minimal salaries they receive for their work. Moreover, due to poor policy, many pharmacists have to face overcrowded pharmacies, which increases their workload and in turn, their stress.
All of this has culminated into a situation where some pharmacists are planning to go on strike to demand better pay, better working conditions and a reduction of their workload. Such a move is considered to be a rare one, as no such protest has been planned before in the history of the Indian pharmacist community.
However, in this delicate situation, some experts are of the opinion that while a protest by pharmacists is highly justified, it should be done in a responsible manner. The focus of such a protest should be constructive, aimed at bringing about meaningful reform in the policy and legal framework which governs the functioning of the profession.
The potential outcome of this rare protest is still unclear. However, one thing is certain that the possibility of a strike is bound to create ripples in the entire pharmacist community and beyond, as it will serve to raise the myriad issues they face and will send a message to the government that such grievances must not be neglected any longer.