The Telangana government has amended the educational qualifications required for pharmacists in the AYUSH Department. The changes, issued through a Government Order (GO) by Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu on March 28, comes in response to recommendations by the department and the Telangana Public Service Commission. The amendment updates the Telangana Indian Medicine and Homeopathy Subordinate Service Special Rules 1994, governing pharmacist qualifications.
The new criteria requires candidates to hold any of the following degrees: D. Pharmacy, B. Pharmacy, or Pharm D. Additionally, all pharmacists must be registered with the Telangana Pharmacy Council. Previously, the qualification requirements included a diploma course in Ayurveda, Unani, or Homeopathy offered by the AYUSH Department. However, these qualifications will be phased out once the department establishes its own diploma programme in the respective disciplines, the order said.
Further, under the revised rules, individuals appointed as pharmacists through direct recruitment must undergo a six-month certificate course in Pharmacy (Ayurveda/Unani/Homeopathy) at a government-recognised institution. This training will include both theoretical and practical components, covering medicine preparation under the supervision of a government pharmacy. Candidates must pass an examination within a maximum of three attempts over a one-year period.
Published – March 29, 2025 07:29 pm IST