Hike grants to clinical pharmacists with high qualifications: CSC urged

Bid to prevent them from looking for green pastures

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 10: Director of Pharmaceutical Services Department at Ministry of Health Ayed Al-Shimmari has sent a letter to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to increase rare specialization allowances for pharmacists who hold master or doctorate degrees in the field of clinical pharmacy, like other medical specialties in the ministry, reports Aljarida daily.

He said he has proposed rare specialization allowance of KD 250 for those holding master’s degree and KD 500 for PhD holders, stressing that he hopes the request will be referred to the concerned committee in Ministry of Health headed by Minister of Health Dr Bassel Al-Sabah.

Al-Shimmari explained that the proposal will prevent pharmacists from looking for green pastures and persuade them to continue working in the ministry especially since the ministry has spent money on them to complete the postgraduate studies. Due to lack of incentives, many of them were forced to find other alternatives that suited their qualifications.

Clinical pharmacists are intended to be part of the medical team of specialized pharmacists who accompany doctors during visits to the wards in the mornings. They are to give medical advice regarding medicines, pharmacological interactions, ways of use, and effectiveness of the medicines.

This advice can contribute to improving the quality of health services provided to patients inside the wards and outpatient clinics.

He affirmed that the system has been implemented in the pharmaceutical departments of a number of hospitals in Ministry of Health which employ holders of masters’ and doctorate degrees in clinical pharmacy, highlighting the existence of cooperation between the Department of Pharmaceutical Services and the Faculty of Pharmacy at Kuwait University.