Karnataka State Pharmacy Council has invested Rs..1.3 lakh to install a LED (Light Emitting Diode) display in Bangalore city which flashes tips on healthcare and medication usage and storage methods.



The concept is a first-of-its-kind in the pharmacy space in Asia, claims KSPC.



“This LED display has evoked excellent response among the general public and patients. It has also attracted the corporators and MLAs in Bangalore and they are keen to have more such displays across the city. With the increased demand for OTC drugs, the need to educate the masses on adverse drug reactions and disease information becomes imperative,” D.A. Gundu Rao, president, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council told Pharmabiz.



“We have also approached the banking sector to sponsor some LEDs. Going by the feedback, we expect to get a dozen such LEDs within 6 months installed in the city where public footfalls are the maximum. Currently, the messages are displayed in Kannada and English allowing both locals and visitors to read the valuable tips”, he added.



Efforts are also on to operate the LED moving message boards using GPS (Global Positioning System) which helps to reduce cost to around Rs.. 80,000.



The messages are scrolled over a period of 16 hours a day. There are over 200 tips which include insulin administration, drug storage and information on how medication should be consumed. Among the interesting instructions are the water consumption when a person is on medication besides details of chemist shops, hospitals, banned drugs list, and the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. After a couple of messages on drug information, the Council has ensured to provide a tag line on the importance of consulting doctors to get the right medication.



While the main function of the State Pharmacy Council is to grant registration to the eligible qualified pharmacists according to the provisions of the Pharmacy Act, it has also made efforts to have all the technical data computerized, issue Identity Cards to all practicing Pharmacists, launch Community Pharmacy Programs & Continuing Education Programs to update pharmacist's knowledge. The total number of registered pharmacists as on October 12, 2010 is 44,002.



In addition, the Council has expanded its activities to areas like Pharmacist Social Security Scheme, appointment of Pharmacy Inspectors, financial assistance, set up Drug Information Centres which provide details on Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR), evaluation of ADR, foreign drug identification and designing of dosage regimes.