Unqualified pharmacists cause of concern

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: When Kerala ranks first in the sale of medicines in the country, 40 per cent of them sold are without prescription or given by unqualified pharmacists. There is an alarming rise in the sale of drugs with 18 per cent produced in the country sold in Kerala. Though the total population in Kerala is three per cent of the total population of India, the annual sale of medicines in Kerala is around Rs 19,000 crore. Pharmacy Council president K C Ajith Kumar said that even in primary health centres medicines are given by Asha workers.  These unqualified pharmacists are not able to provide clear guidance to even the patients who buy medicines with a valid prescription.“The use of medicines in Kerala is five to six times higher than in other states. A large chunk of diabetic and hypertension patients are those who buy medicines with old prescriptions or continue the same medicine without consulting a doctor”, Ajith Kumar said. The issue of unqualified pharmacists in primary health centres was discussed with the Health Department. Several suggestions came up but nothing materialised as it is not possible to appoint registered pharmacists at all the primary health centres in the state. There are no authentic records on the actual sale of drugs as the private hospitals buy them directly from companies. Around 40 per cent of the treatment cost at hospitals comes for the medicines.  There are around 12,500 qualified pharmacists in Kerala and almost all of them have been renewing their registration with the council. There are some persons who do not renew their registration and six cases were found in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts, and they faced suspension from the council. There is only one pharmacist in every hospital, and when he/she takes leave there will not be any alternative. The maternity leave of women pharmacists is creating more problems with pharmacies functioning with the help of unqualified persons for months.Ajith Kumar pointed out that serious intervention of the government is needed to check the practice of patients not depending on doctors or hospitals before medicines are purchased. As per section 42 of the Pharmacy Act, it is a punishable act to dispense drugs by a non-pharmacist, he added.