Srinagar, Aug 18 (KNS): Civil Society Forum Kashmir has expressed its ager over the use and supply of spurious medicine sold to patients in the state and has appealed to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Health Minister to ensure that patients are treated with quality medicines.
In a statement to KNS, CSFK said that as s per government estimates people in J&K state consume medicines worth Rs. 600 crore monthly out of which medicines worth Rs. 400 crore are consumed by the people from Kashmir division alone. Several other experts in medicine have suggested that the Kashmir region in particular consumes medicines in quantities that are far greater than many other regions of the country and have laid emphasis upon curtailing medicine usage in the region besides rationalizing their prices and enhancing affordability among common masses.
“This huge consumption of drugs in the valley is not only due to medicinal use of drugs but also due to self-medication and drug addiction is also very common which makes healthcare in Kashmir riddled with problems. One of the glaring examples of this being availability of all the drugs over the counter. There is no distinction between the sale of over the counter (OTC) and prescription drugs and to top it all, majority of drug stores are managed by technically unqualified people who have no idea about basic principles of pharmacy and pharmacology.”
“As against the huge quantities of medicines consumed every month by the people in Kashmir valley, there is only one government drug testing laboratory which is utterly ill-equipped, understaffed and poorly funded. Few years back when spurious drug scam had surfaced Drugs Controller General of India himself had announced that an additional state-of-art drug testing laboratory will be established to cater to the demands of drug analysis of the valley besides upgrading the existing drug testing laboratories of the state but there has been no breakthrough in that direction till date.”
“Even through maiden drug policy of the Jammu and Kashmir state was approved by the J&K Govt. way back in 2012 its implementation is still nowhere in sight. Drug procurement procedure of the govt.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channelis still in doldrums and the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation that was announced a couple of years back is still on papers, a complete non-starter, a damp squib. Necessary augmentation of the Drug and Food Control Organization of J&K has still not been undertaken despite repeated promises to that extent made by none less than the Drugs Controller General of India himself.”
“While other Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab etc have made substantial progress in managing their drug procurement, supply and distribution in govt. hospitals on scientific lines, J&K continues to be marred by red tapism, inordinate delays and lackadaisical attitude of concerned officials. There has been no forward movement in any of these areas over the past three years.”
Civil Society Forum Kashmir holds medical fraternity of the state in high esteem since they have served the society during toughest of times. CSFK acknowledges their significant contribution but condemns the unscrupulous activities of certain elements in the fraternity who are bringing disrepute and disgrace to the entire profession by virtue of their illegitimate and unethical practices.
CSFK appeals for stringent legal action against such black sheep including cancellation of their licences on the spot. Any doctor found hand in glove with the drug mafia should be suspended and his practice banned.
“In light of above CSFK appeals the present state government to take immediate measures towards redressal of the grievances of common consumers of medicines, implement drug policy in toto, streamline drug procurement mechanism, make JKMSC vibrant and active, augment drug testing facilities of the state, make necessary amendments in the J&K Pharmacy Act, 2011 (Samvat) so that drug sale licences are issued only to diploma or degree holders in Pharmacy, employ trained and qualified pharmacists only in the hospitals, increase manpower and funding of the Drug and Food Control Organization besides ensuring sale and supply of medicines in accordance with legal provisions and promote rational use of medicines in the society.” (KNS)