Karachi: Experts at the First Medication Safety Conference, organized by Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services, have raised alarm over the lack of qualified pharmacists and trained personnel in hospitals and pharmacies across Pakistan. They revealed that over 500,000 deaths occur annually due to medical errors, particularly improper medication use, and called for urgent reforms to address this critical healthcare issue.
A Nationwide Problem
Healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and industry leaders attending the conference highlighted the dangers posed by unregulated medical stores, pharmacies operating without certified pharmacists, and widespread improper medication practices.
Asim Rauf, CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), acknowledged that medication misuse is a global issue but pointed out the lack of reporting mechanisms for adverse drug reactions in Pakistan. “Doctors are not always trained to handle medication safety, making the role of pharmacists crucial,” he said. Rauf emphasized that no hospital or pharmacy should function without a certified pharmacist and revealed that DRAP is working on implementing WHO-recommended guidelines for safe medication practices.
Startling Statistics
According to Syed Jamshed Ahmed, Director of Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services, only 3,000 of the 60,000 pharmacies in Pakistan are staffed with qualified pharmacists, while the remaining 95% are run by untrained personnel, often leading to fatal errors. Ahmed urged authorities to criminalize operating pharmacies without certified pharmacists to safeguard public health.
Barriers and Consequences
Renowned pharmacist Abdul Latif Sheikh identified illegible prescriptions as a significant contributor to medication errors, particularly when handled by untrained staff. Meanwhile, Sheikh Qaiser Waheed of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) pointed out that a staggering 90% of pharmacists, primarily women, leave the profession after marriage, exacerbating the shortage of skilled professionals.
A Call for Collective Action
Dr. Zahid Latif, Chairman of Alkhidmat Foundation, emphasized the urgent need for collective efforts to address the medication safety crisis. He stressed that employing qualified pharmacists in every pharmacy and hospital is essential to reducing errors and saving lives.
The Way Forward
The experts concluded the conference with a unanimous call for immediate reforms, including stricter regulations, mandatory employment of certified pharmacists, and better reporting systems for medication errors. They emphasized that these measures are crucial to improving healthcare safety and preventing avoidable deaths in Pakistan.
