World Pharmacists Day 14

by AK Lodhi

Karachi: A comprehensive policy at National level in collaboration with the private sector to protect and prevent people from the side-effects of medicines is a must, this was stated by Syed Qalb-e- Hasan Rizvi the central President, Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) on the occasion of World Pharmacists Day.

He expressed these views while addressing a special ceremony held to mark World Pharmacists Day held at Pharmacists House Superhighway Karachi attended by  former PPA Provincial General Secretary Muzahir Qadri, Muhammad Atif, Dr Muhammad Saleh, Sehrish Lakhani, Ghazala Eshrat and others.

Rizvi said pharmacists have played key role in healthy society as they ensured continuity and regularity in use of medicines.  He said people were contracting different complicated diseases due to self-medication and lack of awareness about use of medicines and their side-effects.

He stressed the need of comprehensive policy at national level in collaboration with private sector to protect people from side-effects of medicines and looming threats to their lives. He welcomed that notification of Punjab Government for establishment of Pharmacy Information Centers in hospitals and presence of pharmacists when doctors take rounds in public healthcare centers.

He lamented that  there was no drug administration infrastructure in Sindh province despite the passage of 67 years. He expressed his concern that pharmacists who joined public healthcare in grade 17 through Public Service Commission retired after completing 25 years services without any promotion.
The Pakistan Pharmacists Association has arranged awareness seminars, walks and other events  on 25 September 2014 to marks World Pharmacists Day across the Pakistan.