| LETTERS TO EDITOR |
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Punjab Drug Rules The Punjab government has recently formulated and issued Drug Rules 2007. A long-awaited encouraging move by the government as it highlights its resolve to have a grip on the situation regarding availability of drugs in the market. I think criticism of these rules is not ’The’ prerogative of pharmacists and pharma companies as they would like the public to believe. Rather, it is a matter requiring them to hire pharmacists on payment. Previously they would hire the categories (Category A) and pay between Rsl,000 and 10,000 a month on an yearly basis, depending upon their requirement of the licensee and the agreement reached between the two parties (chemist and pharmacist) for the hiring of the licensee. Here in Rawalpindi I have observed that fewer pharmacists are hired for sale purposes. More of categories B and C are being employed. Some homoeopathic doctors are running businesses on their doctor licenses. The main reason for this is the practice of hiring licensees for small sums of money, up to Rs800-1000, on a monthly basis. Since chemists are minting money without pharmacists, they are opposed to hiring pharmacists at higher cost. Also, we should keep in mind that earlier they could sell any drug (also those in category G of Drug Rules) without a pharmacist. Now they have to hire a pharmacist at higher pays and be watched over by them. An employer (chemist) hardly would like his employee (pharmacist) to watch him and hand him over to the authorities in case of any violation of the law. We should keep in mind that a small businessman like the one in any residential area cannot afford to pay high to a pharmacist. They would preferably hire compounders at low pays. If the government is serious about implementing these rules, it must remain firm in its attitude. As far as doctors are concerned, they are least concerned about who dispenses the drugs. As the government’s vested interest lies with the businessman, the pharmacists, preferably PPA, should rally and convince the government and the public of the benefits of implementing the new rules or else the chemists will succeed in getting a diluted version of the rules to serve the interests of the chemists and not the public at large.
AYESHA FATIMA
Wheat crisis I do recollect that some time early this year the government had allowed export of wheat estimated to be surplus consequent to the bumper crop. A couple of months down the line, the government is importing wheat in an attempt to bring down the prices of flour being attributed to shortage. What is happening?.’ Will someone explain?
MOBEEN AFZAL
20-20 World Cup I was one of the millions who watched the final of the recent Twenty20 World Cup Cricket in South Africa. The match was a cliffhanger where both the teams were equally matched. India was just lucky to have won the match which could have gone either way and no loser was disgraced. I heard the TV interview with the rival skippers. The Pakistan captain, Shoaib Malik, ”thanked the people of Pakistan and ’Muslims all over the world’ for their support.” I was shocked to hear this from a sportsman mixing religion with sports. The Indian team had two Muslim players and in India we are proud to have about 150 million Muslims. I wonder as to what Shoaib Malik was implying by the above statement. In March last year my wife and I were invited to Pakistan as part of a group to exhibit our photographs in Lahore and Islamabad. The love, affection and hospitality that was showered on us during our stay is for ever etched in our memories. Near the Lahore station, we were approached by some people who inquired if we were Indians as my wife was wearing a saree. On confirmation, they spontaneously exclaimed that ’we are the same people separated by ’sayasis’ and ’superpowers.’ They insisted on taking us -for tea in a nearby cafe. If I remember right, the previous cricket captain was criticized in Pakistan for mixing religion with sport on the field. Malik is very young and is admired by us also. He has a bright future and will take Pakistani cricket to great heights. But I suggest he may be advised not to mix sports with religion.
VIVEK R. SINHA
Sheriff’s office The office of the sheriff of Mumbai, in reply to an RTI aplication, has stated its role as under: “...the basic function of this office is to implement the orders issued by the Hon’ble High Court, Bombay, City Civil Court, Supreme Court of India and other courts.” – Signed Dy. Sheriff of Mumbai. We should appreciate suggestions and examples on how the role of the sheriff as difined above can be utilised to benefit the citizens of Mumbai.
VINAY |