Pharmaceutical Review (Staff Reporter). Dr. Noor Muhammad Mahar (03224453577) and Dr. Haroon Yousaf has organized a protest against the illegal confinement (under Article 15 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan) of skilled pharmacists on November 3, 2016 (Thursday) in Lahore. More than 200 pharmacists from academia, hospital, drug inspectors, regulators, industry, consultants, lawyers and students gathered under the flag of Pakistan Young Pharmacist in front of Lahore Press Club in favor of Pharmacists of Baluchistan and against the illegal and brutal act of confinement of innocent Pharmacist by Baluchistan Government in Quetta.
During the protest Dr. Noor Mahar Senior Pharmacist and Drug Law Expert condemn the arrest of Pharmacists of Baluchistan, who raise their voice for their rights and uplifting of Pharmacy Profession. Mr. Mahar urged the Chief Minister of Baluchistan, Health Minister of Baluchistan to immediately release Pharmacists from illegal confinement, otherwise whole pharmacist community will become an iron wall against illegal activities of the government. Mr. Mahar also indicated that 6000 pharmacists’ posts are vacant in Punjab, 5000 pharmacists’ posts are vacant in Sindh, 4000 pharmacists’ posts are vacant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 3000 post are vacant in Balochistan. One pharmacist on 50 beds in hospitals is the need of the day to improve the patient health. Mr. Mahar also highlighted the need of Clinical Pharmacy. Mr. Mahar said that Pharmacists play a vital role in the health care system through the medicine and information they provide. While responsibilities vary among the different areas of pharmacy practice, the bottom line is that pharmacists help patients get well. Pharmacist responsibilities include a range of care for patients, from dispensing medications to monitoring patient health and progress to maximize their response to the medication. Pharmacists also educate consumers and patients on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, and advice physicians, nurses, and other health professionals on drug decisions. Mr. Mahar declared that 2017 is the year of Pharmacists.
Dr. Haroon Yousaf, General Secretary Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association said that instead of uplifting the profession of Pharmacy and increasing the jobs in the Provincial Governments, Balochistan Government has arrested our highly skilled and learned Pharmacists in Quetta; this act is extremely shameful, atrocity, inhuman and cruel. Dr. Haroon added that governments did these acts in dark ages and he urged the government to immediate release of Pharmacists. He also highlighted the corruption in Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan and urged Provincial Governments to make their own authorities. Dr. Haroon said that Pharmacists may concentrate on SME Pharmaceutical business, which may start from one room manufacturing facilities. It will result in elimination of spurious, counterfeit, adulterated, misbranded and substandard drug from Pakistan. Pharmacist will produce best quality medicine at less cost and patients will get economical medicines. Pakistan cannot compete with only 500 operating manufacturing factories with India, who is having more than 150000 manufacturing units. India is having one room to US FDA approved manufacturing facilities. India is exporting medicines of more than US$ 25 billion, whereas Pakistani exports dropped from US$ 220 million to US$ 120 million. Our imports increased from US$ 418 million to US$ 609 million, which is unfortunate for Pakistan.
Dr. Hina Shaukat Joint Secretary Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association urged to all Pharmacists to gather and start nationwide protest against barbarity of Baluchistan Government, all the arrested pharmacists must be immediately released from illegal confinement, which is unconstitutional as per the Article 15 of Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and under the law of Habeas Corpus in Pakistan is governed by Section 491 Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. Dr. Hina further urged all provincial governments to announce DRAP in provinces as per the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and recruit pharmacists in provincial DRAPs. She also urged Prime Minister to immediate give all Pharmacists loan of Rs 2 million, and Prime Minister must make a national policy for job enrichment in government sector and Pharmacists to start SME pharmaceutical units with removal of all impediments. Inshallah, Pakistani Pharmacists will make Pakistan Pharmaceutical Industry World number one.
At the end, all pharmacists urged Chief Justice of Pakistan, Chief of Army, Prime Minister, President, all Chief Ministers and all Health Ministers to intervene and stop unconstitutional, anti-pharmacist and anti-Pakistan activities of various functionaries of Government.