Speakers at a consultative meeting held by the Bangladesh Pharmacy Council at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka stressed that developing skilled pharmacists is essential to ensure quality healthcare across the country. They said Bangladesh has nearly 200,000 medicine outlets but far too few licensed pharmacists to staff them properly, and meeting the need would require around 400,000 qualified professionals. Experts at the meeting called for stronger university programmes, better lab facilities, more qualified teachers, and a unified national BPharm syllabus so graduates are ready to work in hospitals, community pharmacies and industry. The council noted that pharmacists can do more than sell medicines: they ensure safe dispensing, help patients understand treatments, support doctors, and play a key role in preventing medication errors and antibiotic misuse. Panelists welcomed moves to standardise curricula and praised recent inspection and accreditation steps, while urging clearer admission policies and stronger links between universities and employers. Leaders also suggested setting up a training institute for pharmacy educators and running continuing education so teachers and practicing pharmacists keep up with new science and technology. Health officials at the meeting proposed a BCS Pharmacy Cadre and said the government has already created new posts for pharmacists and plans to expand them, which would open hospital jobs and boost recognition. Participants urged the Pharmacy Council, University Grants Commission and Bangladesh Accreditation Council to work together to resolve accreditation issues and make degree programmes consistent. They highlighted the need for internships and better hands-on laboratory training so students learn skills before they graduate. Experts recommended stepping up recruitment of qualified faculty and investing in labs and equipment that mirror modern workplaces. Speakers pointed out that stronger pharmacy education would boost patient safety, reduce harmful drug practices, and help build a stronger local pharmaceutical industry by providing trained staff. They said a clear national syllabus would give employers confidence in graduates and help graduates find work in hospitals, factories and community settings. The meeting also stressed pharmacists’ role in public health tasks like vaccination drives, disaster response and chronic disease management, and urged officials to support telepharmacy and digital tools to reach patients in remote areas. Panel members proposed scholarships, incentives for rural postings, and partnerships with industry to give students practical exposure and smooth school to work transitions. The gathering closed with calls for action: set standards, improve teacher training, expand hospital posts, back practical training projects, and run public awareness campaigns about the value of licensed pharmacists. By investing in education, accreditation and career paths, Bangladesh can turn its many medicine outlets into model pharmacies, support safer treatment for patients, create jobs for skilled graduates, and raise the quality of health services in towns and villages across the country.
