Though the pharmaceutical industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the last two decades with the production of drugs increasing from Rs 1,400 crore in 1980 to Rs 18,000 crore in 2001, the storage, distribution and dispensing of drugs are done in a crude and unhealthy way. This needs to be improved if the benefits of drug discovery and the essential drugs have to reach the common man. This was the highlight of the Pharma Week 2002, organised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, in Hyderabad, from November 17 to 23.

If the shortage of essential drugs is a problem in some regions, the sale of spurious and substandard drugs and other related malpractices are rampant in almost all parts of the country. Ironically, the death of two patients in Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad due to the negligence of the hospital staff and a medical store was an anti-climax to the Pharmacy Week celebrations.

At the valedictory function on Sunday, Medical and Health Minister Dr Kodela Sivaprasad Rao expressed his anguish over the shocking incident. Two patients lost their lives because they were administered the wrong injections. " I know the doctors' handwriting is bad, but that is not an excuse. Most of the medical shops have certificates, but no pharmacists. Drugs are sold after the expiry dates, taking advantage of the illiterate consumer," Dr Rao said.

The Minister said the government was committed to provide quality healthcare and was spending huge amounts on prevention of diseases. In fact, the government had decided to sanction 40 more private medical colleges in the state targeting a goal of one doctor for 1,000 population. There was rapid growth in drug production, in both the formulations and bulk drugs. The state had some of the well-known pharma companies like Dr Reddy's, Aurobindo Pharma, and biotech companies like Shanta Biotechnics, Bharat Biotech. They were also into research and had discovered new molecules.

The state also had some of the best corporate hospitals offering medical care at international standards. For effective monitoring of quality of drugs, the state had an efficient drug control department headed by an IPS officer, the Minister said. Yet it stinks. Patients die of negligence, of spurious and substandard drugs. Ayurvedic capsules are filled with steriods to give temporary relief. The manufacturers of such drugs are hand in glove with pharmacies and medical stores.

The Minister said seminars like this should discuss and find solutions to all these problems. "Kindly follow some ethics. This appeal is from the depth of my heart," Dr Rao said.

D A Gundu Rao, chairman, community pharmacy division, from Karnataka, in his presentation on "Improving Access to Medicines Through Pharmacists," said there was no shortage of pharmacists and medical stores in the country. There were five lakh pharmacists for a population of one billion that means one pharmacist for every 2,000 people.

Currently, the minimum qualification for a pharmacist is Diploma in Pharmacy. Besides, even people with a specified period of experience are given certificates. Gundu Rao said the Pharmacy Council of India was considering a proposal to make degree as minimum qualification for a pharmacist. The Council was also against permanent registration for a pharmacist, he said.

Whether Diploma or Degree, a pharmacist must have continuous education and he must undergo refresher courses every year to keep abreast of the latest developments in medicine and healthcare. Things are changing so fast that yesterday's medicine is not useful today, and today's medicine will not be useful tomorrow.

The role of the pharmacist is vital and, therefore, he should know all about the medicine - the different brands, the manufacturers, the ingredients, the diseases indicated, the dosage and the reactions. He should insist on a prescription with the name and age of the patient and also the dosage. While the role of a doctor is to diagnose and prescribe, the role of a pharmacist is to dispense. Both are complementary to each other and if the pharmacist had any doubt, he should get it cleared from the doctor on phone before supplying the drugs, Gundu Rao said.

Prof D Sheth, president, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (National), who chaired the valedictory function, said the exercise must continue and should not end with the Pharmacy Week. He said only 30 per cent of the people had access to medicine. What about the remaining 70 per cent, who also had the right to life, he asked. The storage, distribution and dispensing of drugs should also improve. If things did not improve, days were not far off when the pharma companies themselves would take over this responsibility, he said.

Sheth also distributed certificates and medals to meritorious pharmacy students from various colleges in the state.

The weeklong programme included a community pharmacists day, student pharmacists day, pharmacist in environment care, pharmacist in healthcare, pharmacist in service, and industrial pharmacists day. A blood donation camp was also held in association with the Chiranjeevi Charitable Trust.