It was a shocking news report for me as a citizen of the country that members of Sindh Assembly pointed out in the recent session that the supplies of spurious and toxic medicines are rampant in government hospitals and dispensaries and health centers. The provincial assembly has also urged that the medicines supplied to the government hospital should be checked, however there is no report that private hospitals and medical stores should be monitored, whether drugs are according to the health standard. This is a very important issue as our health and life depends on these medicines.
It is imperative that the country should have an authority to monitor the drugs; there is an FDA (Food and Drug Authority) in every country. Due to this oversight many people have lost their lives. As a layman, I rely on the doctors’ prescription and shopkeepers but I am not aware of the authenticity of the medicines that I buy for my family and myself. Similarly many patients do not have knowledge about medicines and they rely upon the shopkeepers who pretend to be pharmacists.
The government has shown criminal negligence while dealing with the health sector. I urge the government officials to perform their duties honestly and avoid playing with the people’s lives. Healthcare is a very serious issue and quality of medicines must be ensured in the country for proper treatment of various diseases.
MAWADDAT ZEHRA,
Karachi, February1.