The Patna High Court has upheld the Bihar government's decision to recognise only a Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharma) as the minimum valid qualification for pharmacist posts in the state. The verdict brings clarity to a prolonged dispute concerning the eligibility of candidates holding higher degrees such as B. Pharma and M. Pharma.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Parth Sarathi delivered the decision while dismissing multiple petitions filed by B. Pharma and M. Pharma holders who challenged the government's criteria.
The petitioners contended that B. Pharma and M. Pharma have higher academic qualifications compared to D. Pharma and argued that excluding them from pharmacist posts was discriminatory. However, the court rejected this argument, stating that the diploma and degree courses serve different objectives.
The court observed that the D. Pharma course is tailored for practical application in government hospitals and public drug distribution systems. In contrast, B. Pharma and M. Pharma are oriented towards industrial and research careers in the pharmaceutical sector, Jagran.com stated.
The bench ruled that the recruitment criteria set by the state government were constitutional. It clarified that unless these rules are revised, B. Pharma and M. Pharma holders would only be considered eligible if they also possess a D. Pharma qualification, the report added.
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While both D. Pharma and B. Pharma are recognised qualifications under the 2015 regulation of the Pharmacy Council of India, the court affirmed the state's authority to set qualifications based on the specific requirements of government posts.