Letters Job satisfaction among Indian pharmacists Sir, Career satisfaction is a very important factor toward a person’s motivation and productivity. Many work‑related surveys have been conducted among pharmacists in various countries.[1‑3] In India, very few studies have been conducted about the job satisfaction of pharmacists.[4] We conducted a pilot study to measure, the perception about the job satisfaction among Indian pharmacists and future suggestions as to improve the same. Across‑sectional survey was carried out among the pharmacists in India using a pretested questionnaire in English with 24 questions (6 questions on demographic, 10 on satisfaction and 8 on future improvement). The questionnaire was made available to the pharmacists at their work place by email and through social networking sites. A four‑point scale was used for some questions with responses ranging from very good, good, moderate to dissatisfied and for the remaining questions, the responses were dichotomous (yes or no). The study was conducted over a period of 3 months from November 2012 to January 2013. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc. Released 2008. SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 17.0. Chicago: SPSS Inc). The response rate of the survey was 37.83%. Nearly, 82% pharmacists were males and 91% were aged 18‑30 years. The starting salary of B.Pharm graduates working in the pharmaceutical industry, ranged from Rs. 4000/per month to Rs. 10,000/month, where as the salaries of diploma holders working in the community or hospital pharmacies ranged from only Rs. 6000/per month to Rs. 8000/per month. Compared with previous studies, on an average, Indian pharmacists had job satisfaction of 67%. About 48% pharmacists had moderate satisfaction where 38% were dissatisfied. Main reasons for poor job satisfaction were salary status (21%), governmental policies that hamper employment opportunities for pharmacists compared with other professionals (67%), less promotion opportunities (42%), lack of promotion opportunities (40%) and % for other reasons (working conditions, job security and affecting personal life etc.). [4] Compared with other developing countries, pharmacy is not considered a number one profession.[3] To improve the pharmacists’ future, 70% respondents wanted only pharmacy graduate involvement in pharmaceutical industry and not the arts and the sciences graduate involvement in the pharmaceutical industry, which is the current situation. Nearly, 86% of the respondents agreed with the notion of passing a licensure exam after graduating the pharmacy degree for working as a registered pharmacist like in other developed countries.[3] Nearly, 85% pharmacists were of the opinion that the pay scale 

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should depend on both qualification and experience and not like the current practice of salary being characterized on the basis of whether a diploma degree (D.Pharm) is held by a person or not. As a result, the salary of pharmacy professionals is quite low compared with other professionals. More than 65% respondents agreed that if PharmD students in addition to physicians prescribe medications, it will be safer and more beneficial for patients. Currently in India, many quake and physicians practicing alternative medicine also practice allopathic medicine illegally. In addition, recently Government of India has also announced a 3.5 year new course for rural physicians.[5] Nearly, 71% respondents agreed that continuing education should become mandatory for renewal of pharmacy license (71%). Around 77% pharmacists agreed on the following job opportunities for the each specific qualification held by the pharmacist: D.Pharm (assistant pharmacist), B.Pharm (Industry, DI and other Government Jobs), M.Pharm (Industry, academia and research), PharmD (Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacist, Hospital and Community Pharmacist etc.). Along with the efforts to improve the professional status of Indian pharmacists, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which affect their level of satisfaction, have to be studied further in a larger population so that appropriate strategies can be adopted to improve the situation.

Akram Ahmad, Isha Patel1

Department of Pharmacy Practice, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India, 1Department of Clinical, Social and Administrative Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA E‑mail: [email protected]

References 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Hardigan P, Carvajal M. Job satisfaction among practicing pharmacists: A rasch analysis. Internet J Allied Health Sci Pract 2007;5:1‑9. Janahiraman S, Paraidathathu T. Job satisfaction among Malaysian pharmacists. Malaysian Journal of Health Sciences 2007;5:79‑90. Seston E, Hassell K, Ferguson J, Hann M. Exploring the relationship between pharmacists’ job satisfaction, intention to quit the profession, and actual quitting. Res Social Adm Pharm 2009;5:121‑32. Jose J, Kini TL, Rao PGM. Career satisfaction among Indian pharmacists. J Pharm Pract Res 2005;35:333. Village Doctor: Rural MBBS: Medical council of India approves 3‑and‑a‑half‑year medical course: BSc in community health. Available from: http://www.doctorshangout.com/profiles/blogs/village-doctorrural-mbbs-medical-council‑of‑india‑approves‑3‑and. [Accessed on 2013 Apr 20].

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Website: www.jpbsonline.org DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.120069

Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences October-December 2013 Vol 5 Issue 4

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