The Department of Pharmacy, University of Baluchistan, Quetta started Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) course in 2004-5 and replaced Bachelor of Pharmacy. Pharmacy Council of Pakistan (PCP) granted temporary recognition to the aforesaid program. It was another sad aspect of this life saving profession that the recognition was awarded after twenty five (25) years. Recently, the PCP visits the pharmacy institution twice time and did not recognize the Pharm-D. Thus the situation is dilemmatic and uncertain since last six years. This has led the students of the program in utter despair and frustration. First batch of Pharm-D has almost completed the requirements for the award of the program but PCP repeatedly deferring the recognition. Approximately, two hundred pharmacists also have successfully completed the one year condense course of Pharm-D. Even though; the current member of PCP is not actual representative of the department of pharmacy, University of Baluchistan. He is on lien and serving as a Dean in Hamdard University Karachi. He also has not been nominated by University of Baluchistan for the PCP membership but he is member without nomination since last four years. This disappointing and unfair situation has led the pharmacist community of Baluchistan in utter frustration and despair. Dr. Tahir Farooq; Press Secretary, Pharmacist Federation Pakistan (PPF), Mr. Fayaz Ahmad Faizi; Vice President Pakistan Pharmacist Association (Pb.), Mr. Syed Sultan Muhammad; Hospital Pharmacist, BMC Hospital, Quetta and president PPF Quetta Division, Mr. Ghulam Razaque Shahwani General Secretary of PPF Quetta Division, Mr. Jamil Iqbal Achakzai; Government Public Analyst, Mr. Shafi Muhammad; Lecturer Dept. of Pharmacy University of Baluchistan, Mr. Jamal Babar; Hospital Pharmacist, BMC Hospital Quetta, Mr. Malik Sharif President PPF Gujranwala Division, Mr. Syed Muzzamail Masood Zaidi; President PPF Islamabad, Mr. Khursheed Alam; President PPF Rawalpindi Division and Mr. Masood Anwer Chaudhary Press Secretary PPF Islamabad said the attitude of PCP is completely biased, unfair and non-professional. The department of pharmacy in Baluchistan University has fulfilled all the professional and academic requirements of Higher Education Commission and Pharmacy Council of Pakistan. The facilities available are sufficient and fulfill the international standards. The department and the aspirant students are punished because they are situated and residing in Baluchistan. It looks like a conspiracy to keep them deliberately backward. Furthermore; they said being professional we can understand the responsibilities, duties, sources of resources, limitations and professional ethics. There are so many private sectors pharmaceutical institutions located in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi; have been awarded recognition like lottery coupon. But, the public sectored and chartered University of Baluchistan has not been given recognition by PCP. Thus; it seems an intentional attempt of some officials in the Ministry of Heath to keep the people of Baluchistan away from modern education, skills and technology. They don’t want them to get degree from recognized and well acquainted institutions.

Prof. Saeed Asghar, teacher of Pharmaceutics at Dept. of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan has passed away on November 30, 2010. His Namaaz-e-Janaza prayed at Allah Ho Masjid, Defense, Lahore at 3:45 pm. Prof. Saeed Asghar was very competent, professional and kind teacher. He has served the profession for more than 30 years. His students are now working in all over the world in miscellaneous discipline of pharmaceutical sciences. He was also CEO of Ali Industries. No doubt; his sad demise is a big loss of pharmacy profession of Pakistan.

May God bless his soul rest in peace in Jinnah. May Allah grant patience and sabar to his family.

The Secretary of Punjab public service commission, Punjab Health Department, Lahore, Pakistan (TEL: 042-99200161, 99200162, 99202762, 99202739, E-mail: ppsc@punjab.gov.pk, Website: www.ppsc.gop.pk) has made partial modification in consolidated advertisements No.24/2010 and partial modification dated19-09-2010 regarding the extension of the closing date to apply for Hospital Pharmacist / Drug Inspector (BS-17). The closing date is extended for three months up to 07-02-2011. In partial modification to its consolidated advertisement No.24/2010 (Sr. No.66, Case No.05-Rc/2010), published in daily “Jang & the Nation” on 15-08-2010 and subsequent partial modification dated 19-09-2010 for recruitment to 113 (including 03-posts reserved for disabled persons, 06-posts reserved for women & 06-posts reserved for minorities) regular posts of Hospital Pharmacist / Drug Inspector (BS-17) in the Punjab Health Department.

The candidates who have already applied for the said posts need not apply again, and other conditions will remain unchanged.

A meeting of Progressive Pharmacist held on 22^nd November, 2010 (Monday) at Alhabibi Hotel, Islamabad. More than 25 pharmacists have participated in this meeting and Abdul  Satar Sorani Deputy Drug Controller Ministry of Health, Govt. of Pakistan has chaired it. The executives of Progressive Pharmacists; Mr. Naveed Anwer Drug inspector Rawalpindi & president of Progressive Pharmacist, Mr. Shifa Khan Bungush, Mr. Ahmad Bilal, Mr. Sheraz Khan, Mr. Imran Khanzada and Mr. Muhammad Amir have reviewed the previous working, goals achieved and internal organizational issues. They also have planed the “Eid Millan Party” on 1^st December, 2010 at officer clubs Islamabad. This party will be chaired by Mr. Muhammad Hanif Abbasi MNA Rawalpindi, Mr. Rouf Khalid Drug Controller (Registration).

All participants has also emphasized the existing stalk holders of Pakistan Pharmacist Association to make sure the conduction of electoral procedure in coming year of 2011 as per decision of the High Court, Punjab, Pakistan. They are ambitious to participate very enthusiastically in forth coming election of federal area of Islamabad.

WE HEARTEDLY CONGRATULATE TO PROF. DR. MUHAMMAD SAEED FOR GETTING PROMOTION AS “PROFESSOR OF PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY”.  HE IS AWARDED THIS POST BY SYNDICATE OF UNIVERSITY OF PASHAWAR IN THE MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 20, 2010.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PROFESSOR Dr. MUHAMMAD SAEED

Dr. Muhammad Saeed is a well known scientist and involves in miscellaneous local and international research projects. He has international profession experience of working with different organizations of world.

Dr. Muhammad Saeed has completed his graduation in pharmacy from Gomal University, D.I.Khan (1985), M.Phil., University of the Punjab, Lahore (1987) and presently associated with department of pharmacy, University of Pashawar, Pakistan. He has been awarded the PhD (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) by University of Karachi, Karachi in 1987. As pharmaceutical chemist, he has worked with several research technologies. At the research scientist, his primary research focus was on developing novel techniques related to the biotechnology and pharmaceutics. He has more than 25 years of local and international teaching experience in leading Universities of the world. Prior to his current position, he was involved in research on developing strategies to commercialize certain pharmaceutical preparations. His current research interests include Organic/Medicinal Chemistry; to isolate/synthesize new pharmaceutical compounds from natural sources such as traditional medicinal herbs/plants, develop biosynthesis of natural products and determine their structure-activity relationship using various analytical/chromatographic techniques such as column chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC) and thin/thick layer chromatography (TLC) and the structure of the pure secondary metabolites is established with the aid of extensive spectroscopic studies. The potential applications of natural products as novel medicinal agents into the basic research of life sciences and their standardization as clinically useful medications.

He has authored more than seventeen abstracts and research articles in prestigious journals of the world. He has been honored with several international and national research awards and recipient of several scholarships and fellowships to pursue his research.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saeed is versatile person playing his key role in different professional, academic and scientific organizations. He is an active member of internationally renowned pharmaceutical, professional and scientific associations. Including Pharmacist Federation of Pakistan, (president of KBK), Tanzeem-e-Asaatza, Pakistan (President of Univesity of Pashawar). 

ANNUAL GRAND DINNER

School of Pharmacy The University of Lahore – Islamabad Campus

Annual Grand Dinner of School of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore – Islamabad Campus held on 3^rd November, 2010 in Islamabad Officer’s Club, Islamabad. The function was hosted by Mr. Wajahat Latif (Director) and Dr. Taha Nazir (Associate Dean). The Chief Guest Brig. (Rt.) Muhammad Ajaib (Senior Vice President) address students to improve their professional skills understand responsibilities and prepare for forth coming challenges. Students of school of pharmacy have warmly participated in drama’s, skits and plays. The certificates of honor, memento and souvenirs were awarded to the respective members. Dr. Taha Nazir has encouraged the teachers and student to keep their professional, academic and extra-curricular activities up and about. He warmly acknowledged the contribution of students and teachers. At last the participants have enjoyed the grand dinner.

 The University of Lahore – Islamabad campus has played a major role in developing learning and research with a greater choice of courses. This objective has always been strengthened by developing excellence traditions, teaching facilities, learning opportunities and research objectives. Thus; it has become an admired institution of higher education in Pakistan. Recently it has been ranked among the top 500 universities of the World (QS & Times Higher Education Supplement 2006).

The primary objective of the School of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore is to train pharmacy practitioners to possess leadership qualities, advanced expertise and clinical experience that enable them to be at the forefront of the pharmacy profession and health care in a variety of settings-institutional, community practice, government, academia, and industry and drug development. The curriculum emphasized a patient-centered course of study and involves a structure that will enable the students to develop into reflective practitioners with skills and attitudes to evaluate critically and modify practices in a timely and effective manner.

SEMINAR ON QUALITY ASSURANCE OF PHARMACEUTICAL

A seminar on Quality Assurance of Pharmaceutical was held on 23red October, 2010 at PPA house Lahore, Pakistan. Approximately 50 participants from miscellaneous (25) Pharmaceutical companies participated in this seminar.

The seminar was hosted by Mr. Ashfaq Ahamd Mehr, Professor Dr. Bashir Ahamad, Ayaz Ali Khan and Khalid Saeed Bukhari.

Following speakers delivered their presentations,

1. Dr Hafiz Fida Hussain Malik on Quality Assurance.
2. Syed Mobeshar Ali abid on HVAC
3. Dr.amjad Aqeel on Autoclave Operation in sterile Manufacturing
4. Ahmed Sherhyar on Development of 24-hour Drug Release System of an analgesic
5. Shoaib Hakim on Solid Dosage Process Validation
6. Younis Wattoo on GMP Audits

The soft copy of presentation and glimpses of seminar are available for the registered Pharmacist at PPA house Lahore, Pakistan.

The Establishment Division and the FPSC, Ministry of Health has finally notified the revival of 1996 recruitment rules that “only pharmacists are eligible for Drug Administration Posts”. The notification has been forwarded for Publication in the official gazette for information. On behalf of the pharmacist community Pharmacist Federation of Pakistan acknowledge the contribution of the Chief Justice of Pakistan Ch. Iftikhar, Minister of Health, Secretary Health Khshnood Lashari, Secretary Establishment Ismaeel Qureshi and DG Health Dr Jooma for giving kind attention to the genuine demand of the pharmacist community. Bundle of thanks to the pharmacists colleagues who have contributed to materialize this dream. The pharmacist community also pays humble gratitude to the executives of Pharmacist Federation of Pakistan; particularly the Leadership of Pharmacist Federation of Pakistan Fiaz Ahmad Faizi, Dr. Taha Nazir, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saeed, M. Shamoon Ch., Dr. Abdul Haleem Khan and Ashfaq Ahmad Mehr. The notification issued with the concurrence of the establishment division vides their OM No. 17/3/81-R-1 dated September 08, 2010 and FPSC vide its letter No.F.15-33/2010-RR, dated 13.10.2010. This notification is supposed to be published in part-1 of the next issue of the weekly gazette of Pakistan. Section Officer (Admn-I) Muhammad Saeed Awan has exercise the powers conferred by sub rule (2) of rule 3 of the civil servants (appointment, promotion & Transfer) rule, 1973 and section-7(1) (b) of the Federal Public Service Commission (ordinance), 1997 (XLV of 1977). The recruitment rules of drug control organization notified vides S.R.O 331(1) 2007, dated 17.04.2007 are cancelled and recruitment rules notified vide S.R.O 903(1)96 dated 19.09.1996 shall stand revalidated with immediate effect. . We shall remain desirous of this continued support in future as well.

Ministry of Health, Government of the Punjab has issued notification by the order of the Governor of the Punjab; printed in the Punjab weekly gazette dated February 10, 2010, page No. 951. In exercise of power conferred upon him under Section 44 of the Drug Act. 1976 (XXXI of 1976) which empower government to make rules under Act subjected to previous publication. The governor of the Punjab has made amendments in the Punjab Drug Rules, 2007 after previous publication of these amendments. In Schedule A- From 9 at Serial No. 1, after the word “and sell” the word “or distribute” is inserted. In Form 10 at serial No. 1, after the word “or sale by way of wholesale” is inserted.

In response of this notification the executives of the Pharmacist Federation of Pakistan; Dr. Taha Nazir – Secretary General (Pakistan), Mr. Khursheed Alama– President Rawalpindi, Syed Muzzamal Masood Zaidi – President Islamabad, Dr. Tahir Farooq – Press Secretary, Malik Muahmmad Sharif – President Gujranwala, Abdul Rub Mujahid – President Bahawalpure and Asad Imran – President Lahore said that it is nothing more than legalizing the unlawful wholesale business of life saving drugs. These amendments are biased and base on unrealistic approach of Government of the Punjab. The Governor of the Punjab has secured the non-professional people to sell the life savin drugs. The way of distribution of drugs is totally different than selling the vegetable, grains and garments. Thus; this amendments should be withdrawn instantly. Furthermore; they said we shall not allow the non-skilled people to treat the sick patient in an improper way. They have stressed the government to withdraw this notification soon as possible.

The secretary to the Governor of the Punjab has issued notification by the order of the governor of the Punjab, printed in the Punjab weekly gazette dated February 10, 2010, page No. 951. In exercise of power conferred upon him under Section 44 of the Drug Act. 1976 (XXXI of 1976) which empower government to make rules under Act subjected to previous publication. The governor of the Punjab has made amendments in the Punjab Drug Rules, 2007 after previous publication of these amendments. In rule 1, sub rule (3) for the word “three” is substituted by the word “ten”. Thus the drug rule enforced in 2007 and supposed to be fully implemented in July, 2010 is now enforced in 2020.

These amendments are condemned by the executives of Pharmacist Federation of Pakistan; Dr. Taha Nazir – Secretary General, Dr. Tahir Farooq – Press Secretary, Khursheed Alam– President Rawalpindi, Syed Muzzamil Masood Zaidi – President Islamabad and Mr. Asad Imran – President Lahore. They said that it is dishonesty with nation to allow the nonprofessional and non-technical people to handle the precious live of innocent patients. The drug rules 2007 were prepared and enforce with spirit of to benefit the community. Thus; it is unrealistic approach of governor house to issue such biased notification. It is a kind of joke with pharmacist community, profession and institutions. They have strongly emphasized the government of the Punjab to withdraw this notification and make sure the implementation of fair, international recognized and healthy drug rule 2007.