The World Health Organisation and the International Pharmaceutical Federation have joined hands with the Indian Pharmaceutical Association -- the national body of pharmacists in the country -- to upgrade the quality of services of 5.5 lakh pharmacies in India to international standards.
In a first of its kind initiative in India, the WHO and the Indian Pharmaceutical Association have has started a quality certification programme for retail drug outlets in the country. Funded by WHO-India, the pilot project has taken off in Mumbai and Goa to accredit about 60 pharmacies.
A joint working committee will also co-ordinate training programmes, implementation and accreditation of the pharmacies, said Manjari Gharath, secretary of the community pharmacy division of IPA.
Besides, IPA in association with FIP and WHO is planning to implement Good Pharmacy Practices -- the global benchmark in pharmacy practices in India.