Rahael, Gopeesingh clash

Rahael told the Upper House that there is a cartel restricting the development of pharmacists in the country, but if he has his way, there will be 250 new pharmacists added to the profession during the next four years.

He said a person wishing to become a pharmacist has to face numerous obstacles under the present act. According to Rahael, before the aspiring pharmacist embarks on a four-year degree, he must first gain the approval of the Pharmacy Board.

After his degree, he must be pre-registered with the board, do a six-month internship under a registered pharmacist, and then pass another exam.

He told the Upper House, "The Pharmacy Board is made up of pharmacists who have their own pharmacies. So, you understand the need to restrict the number of pharmacists in the country.

The Pharmacy Board is an independent body made up of individuals who are seeking their own self-interests," Rahael said.

If the act is amended, however, once someone has a degree in the field from an accredited university, he can be registered as a pharmacist, he added. The minister said it is the ministry’s plan to allow the first batch of 50 persons to begin training as pharmacists by March 2006.

He said that during the next four years, 250 persons will hopefully be trained in the field. However, Gopeesingh said he wanted "cogent, empirical, factual, substantiated information" proving that the Pharmacy Board was restricting persons from becoming pharmacists. In fact, he charged that Rahael had shown "total disrespect for an independent authority which is supposed to be the guardian of the pharmacy profession.

He told the Senate: "The Pharmacy Board is an independent body created by statute. He’s casting aspersions on members of the board. That’s why he wants to change the legislation? Madame President, this is in sync with this administration’s ability to abuse power."

Gopeesingh charged that the Health Ministry was trying to create some kind of organisation parallel to the Pharmacy Board.

At this point, Rahael became annoyed. Rising to his feet, he informed the Senate that, at no time, did he indicate that the Board wanted to create a parallel organisation.

Gopeesingh argued back and this forced President Linda Baboolal to intervene to pacify "flaring tempers."