Other States - Orissa   

Druggists throw norms to winds

Staff Reporter

As per the rule, all drugs should be sold under supervision of a pharmacist

BERHAMPUR: The State government is not implementing the Drugs and Cosmetic Act strictly in the State. In several states like New Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, drugs retailers are prohibited to sell medicines at their counter without the presence of pharmacists as per the guidelines of the Act. But in Orissa this norm is yet to be followed strictly.

As per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, all scheduled drugs have to be sold from any retail outlet under the direct supervision and guidance of a pharmacist. But it is not the general practice in Orissa. Most of the times even life-saving drugs and medicines of restricted use are sold without the presence of pharmacists at medical shops which violate the norms of the Act.

In Orissa, medical outlets are being set up by non-pharmacists in most of the places where the owners submit the certificate of any registered pharmacist to get the licence. But in real practice these pharmacists never attend the shops.

Plea to Government

The associations of pharmacists like South Orissa Pharmacists' Association (SOPA) regularly urge the Health Department to implement the Drugs and Cosmetics Act strictly in the State which in turn would help creation of employment for trained pharmacists. According to SOPA convenor Nageswar Prusty, there are around 25,000 pharmacy diploma holders in the State and there has been little scope for their appointment in government sector since 1991 due to squeeze on government jobs. With the implementation of the Act at least some of these pharmacists could get appointed on regular basis.

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