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Srinagar, April 27: Warning pharmacists and chemists against Over The Counter (OTC) drug purchase, the Divisional Commissioner, Dr Asghar Samoon Tuesday said annual drug consumption in the State is Rs 600 Crores, reports Rissing Kashmir.
He convened a high level meeting to discuss and review various drug
control methods in the valley. “Rs. 600 crore of medicines are being
consumed in the Jammu & Kashmir of which Rs. 400 crore in the
Kashmir valley only,” Samoon said.
Expressing serious concern over the rising consumption of drugs, the Divisional Commissioner said the rising drug problem is one of the serious challenges we are facing today. “No medicines, without prescription of the doctor, should be sold to patients,” he said and warned chemists and pharmacists against OVT.
Directing the Health and education sector to work in tandem to create mass awareness, particularly, among the youth in schools and colleges about the hazardous effects of drug use, he suggested Health Department to come up with the de-addiction centres and provide information on their websites on dos and don’ts for the people suffering from addiction.
Samoon directed the Pharmacists, Chemists and doctors to work with ethics while doing their work. “Standard treatment protocols need to be followed so that patients don’t develop drug resistance and that there is no misuse of drugs.”
He suggested that a crackdown should be made on malpractices by pharmacists and doctors that no medical representatives should be allowed in OPDs and Casualties.
The Divisional Commissioner also stressed on the need to develop Private Sector in health so as to meet the requirements of the patients. He also stressed on exploring and encouraging other systems of medicine like Homeopathy and Allopathy.
Deputy Controller of Drug and Food Control Organisation, presented a Power Point presentation to highlight the efforts of the department. “The department, for the last year, conducted 8185 inspections out of which 645 samples were lifted from the government and private market and only six were found of standard quality. In addition 13 licenses were cancelled and 28 suspended for violating various provisions of drugs and cosmetics act. The food wing has conducted 16600 inspections and launched prosecution almost 17 cases. In addition, Rs. 5600 was recovered as fine from 480 persons for smoking at public places,” he said.
The meeting also suggested that requisite training should be provided to those working in the medical and diagnostic field.
Samoon stressed that the Private diagnostic centres have to follow proper norms in space and facilities which should “preferably” be located on the ground floor.
The meeting, besides Principal Government Medical College, Dr. Shahida Mir, Director Health Services, Salim-ur-Rehman, Deputy Director Nazir Ahmed, was attended by Satish Gupta from Drug Control, Director ISM, Dr. Kabir and President of Chemists and Drug Association among other officials.
