12 puskesmas in Tapin do not have pharmacists

Puskesmas Lokpaikat is one of 12 community health center those do not have pharmacists. (Antaranews Kalsel/M Husein Asy'ari)

Even though ideally each puskesmas has at least one pharmacist, but in fact we still cannot fulfill that,

Rantau, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - Tapin District Government in lack of health workers for drug dispensers or pharmacists. Only one of the 13 community health centers (puskesmas) has a pharmacist.

Head of the Tapin Health Agency Errani Martin confirmed that currently there are 13 community health centers in Tapin, only the Puskesmas Binuang has pharmacists.

"Indeed, we admit that Tapin still lacks of pharmacists," Martin said in Rantau on Wednesday (20/2).

With the lack of pharmacists, puskesmas that do not have pharmacists only rely on pharmacy technical staff or pharmacist assistants to dispense medicines.

He stated that the need of pharmacist at the puskesmas is absolute, according to the Minister of Health Regulation No. 74/2016 concerning Pharmaceutical Service Standards at the Puskesmas.

"Even though ideally each puskesmas has at least one pharmacist, but in fact we still cannot fulfill that," said the head of the agency.

Although lacking, the agency is still being helped by the presence of several private pharmacists in Tapin who sell quality medicines.

"Later, we will try it in stages to equip with the experts medical personnel in all puskesmas," he said.