POLICY
Eventually, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the long-awaited amendments in Drugs Rules, 1982 which is considere
d a hallmark achievement regarding the reformation of the health sector through the best practices of pharmacy. This decision has kept the so-called chemists and druggists on fire across the province, however; it is a fact that if the aforementioned amendments are implemented in true letter and spirit, it will make the health of the public better up to great extent.
In this regard, the Punjab government has recently taken some bold steps, which show its seriousness towards the betterment of the health sector. It is hoped that this will bring a prominent
positive change in the society.
As a clinic cannot run without a doctor, how can a pharmacy run without a pharmacist? However, in the prevailing situation, most of the pharmacies and whole sale shops are running without pharmacists in the province. Uneducated, non-qualified and people who have not even completed their matriculation exams perform all the duties at pharmacies, which is very much alarming for the health of the masses.
Keeping this in view, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also adopted a strategy to address the issue of substandard, poor-quality and spurious drugs in the province in order to safeguard the basic human rights of the public.
For this purpose, the government amended the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Drugs Rules, 1982. However, this step has not been welcomed by the chemists and druggists almost all over the province as they think it will stop their unchecked and black businesses.
It is to be noted that the supply of quality medicines to the patients is the prime responsibility of any government that is why the cycle of manufacturing, supplying, retailing and consuming of the drugs should be made transparent and documented as per the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) while the medicines should be registered online.
According to experts, good manufacturing practices should be properly checked at the industry. The licenses should be suspended of those manufacturers, who don’t care and apply the required measures. Similarly, they should supply the drugs only to valid license-holder whole sellers/ distributors.
Air-conditioning, humidity and storage’s status should be maintained according to the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Distribution of medicines is very sensitive work that is why every distributor should be declared an authorised agent of the respective company and the presence of a valid license-holder pharmacist should be made possible there.
Area specification for the establishment of pharmacies is must. Pharmacies should be set up according to the guidelines of the WHO. Actually, there is a big difference between a medical store and a pharmacy, so, every setup should be dealt with accordingly.
No pharmacy should be allowed to run without a pharmacist and pharmacies should be categorised. Similarly, warranty of each and every medicine is must; therefore the retailers should not accept the drugs from the whole sellers/ distributor without warranty. The sub-standard, low-quality, spurious and expired drugs should be completely banned.
Dr Ihsan Ullah, a renowned pharmacist and general secretary of the Pakistan Pharmacists Association-KP chapter, is of the view, “It is legitimate power of the provincial government to control the sale of drugs in the province. For this purpose it can frame rules under Section 44 of the Drugs Act, 1976. The Drugs Rules, 1982 are outdated and obsolete for the current scenario where thousands of medicines have been registered in Pakistan and thousands of qualified and skilled personnel are now available as compared to the last three decades.”
Encouraging the government for amending the drugs laws, he said, “Amendments in Drugs Rules, 1982 is indeed a revolutionary step of the provincial government which is warmly welcomed and appreciated by pharmacists and other communities.”
He also called it a step in the right direction, which would create jobs for pharmacists. “It will not only provide relief to the ailing humanity but will also create job opportunities for well-trained and professional pharmacists,” he added.
Dr Ihsan Ullah said it was important that drugs were not only regulated, but also handled by those who were qualified and skilled to handle and dispense these essential items.
“Actually, drugs are the only saleable items which are regulated for its price and quality etc, but unless and until dispensed and stored by skilled and qualified hands, who are expert on adverse drug reactions, one can't be sure about safety and efficacy of these life saving commodities, putting lives at risk,” he added.
Assuring of full support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa pharmacists, Dr Ihsan Ullah said, “The pharmacists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will provide strength and support to the health department that might fortify efforts in protecting precious human lives.”
The aforementioned amendments are wise, and a much appreciated decision taken by the government. However, the government must go ahead with these decisions by establishing an effective policy to tackle the issue of protests by the chemists and druggists.The government also needs to take a stand to eradicate the evil business of low-standard and spurious medicines.
The improvement of health care facilities should be prioritised. Furthermore, an effective strategy should be adopted to further improve the capacity building of the human resources working in the health sector. Taking such steps would benefit each and every person of the society.
The writer works as a staff reporter with Daily Jang in Peshawar