Objecting to the Governments decision to amend the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945 and insert Schedule HX on misuse of antibiotics, the All India Association of Chemists and Druggist (AIOCD) recently sent a memorandum to the Government urging them to reconsider the inclusion of Schedule HX since it will affect the survival of 7.5 lakh chemists in the country.

As per the controversial Schedule HX norms 16 antibiotics drugs will be sold directly by drug manufacturers to the tertiary care hospitals and about 74 drugs and formulations that can be sold by the chemist on the prescription of Registered Medical Practitioners in duplicate and one copy of the prescription will be kept with him for further 2 years.

The association fears that as chemists play an important role in the distribution of medicines to the nook and corner of India, this move will drastically impact the whole supply chain.

According to Jagannath Shinde, president, AIOCD, “We are very much concerned about the implication and implementation part of Schedule HX. Amending the D&C Act and inserting Schedule HX on misuse of antibiotics will not serve the purpose but will make severe impact on availability of antibiotics in the 65 per cent of rural and urban population.”

He implied that the Schedule HX which was formulated by the Government to curb the misuse of antibiotics in view of the news of  super bug is being put for wrong use by victimising the chemist in the whole process.

“We appreciate the concern of the Government over the misuse of antibiotics and other drugs, however we do not agree to the manner in which the government is trying to implement it. Government is not trying to understand the main problem, it is the doctors who prescribe the antibiotics with out any restrictions and not the chemist. Rather than controlling the situation by policing the prescription of antibiotics the government is making us the scapegoat,” pointed out Shinde.

AIOCD have raised these issues with the Government and have submitted a memorandum early this month to the President,  Prime Minister, Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad, Drug Controller General of India, all State Chief Ministers and the other concerned bodies.

The memorandum raises issue on availability of registered medical practitioners in rural and micro rural areas, financial conditions of the poor public, mass violation of Schedule K etc.

He informed, “Considering the practical aspects of the present scenario in health services available in the country, we feel that the introduction of new Schedule HX will make a serious impact on health services and particularly in rural and micro interior area of the country. It may put common public's life in danger due to unavailability of registered medical practitioner in their area and they may not have sufficient money to rush to the city every time for their minor health problems.”

AIOCD is yet to receive a response from the government on this issue. Shinde warned that they will wait till July 7 for their response as the parliament will be in session by then and if there is still no action from the government they would take some drastic step to object the Governments decision.