Life-saving doses in untrained hands in Haryana; 568 pharmacist positions vacant

January 15, 2026

The health of patients in the state’s government hospitals is at serious risk. Hundreds of positions for pharmacists, who are responsible for safely and correctly dispensing medications prescribed by doctors, remain vacant. Out of a total of 1163 sanctioned posts for pharmacists in the state, 568 are currently vacant.

As a result, in many hospitals, medication dispensing is being handled by trainees, Class IV employees, or staff nurses, who lack complete knowledge of the drug’s composition, alternatives, dosage, or potential side effects. According to experts, this situation is a direct threat to patients’ lives.

The situation is reportedly worse in major districts of the state, such as Karnal, Sirsa, and Ambala. At the Primary Health Center (PHC) and Community Health Center (CHC) levels, medications are being dispensed in many places without a registered pharmacist. Pharmacists are retiring, but no new recruitments are being made to fill their positions, which is continuously exacerbating the crisis.

Memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister: State President
Jagdeep Singh, the State President of the Association of Government Pharmacists of Haryana, stated that there is a severe shortage of pharmacists throughout the state, which is placing an additional burden on the working pharmacists. He said that several memorandums have been submitted to the government and senior officials regarding this matter, but the situation has not improved.

Pharmacists are retiring, but no new recruitments are being made. He informed that on Tuesday, January 13, he met with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to apprise him of the situation in the state and demanded that the vacant positions be filled immediately.