Odisha approves 1,108 new Pharmacy Officer posts

The Odisha government has approved the creation of 1,108 new Pharmacy Officer positions as part of a major restructuring of the state’s pharmacy cadre. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced the decision during a conference of the Odisha Pharmacy Officers’ Service Association, noting that the restructuring addresses a demand that had been pending for 39 years.

To support this expansion, the Health and Family Welfare Department has issued a detailed job chart to define the specific responsibilities and duties of pharmacists, including dispensing medicines, ensuring safe usage, and providing patient counseling. The government intends to fill the new vacancies as soon as possible to strengthen the state's healthcare workforce and improve the quality of medicine services.

Additionally, the state is examining a proposal to implement the Pharmacy Council of India’s Recruitment and Promotion Service Rules, 2025, which are currently in effect in 20 other Indian states.