A recent survey reveals that more than 90% of medical stores in Pakistan are operating without qualified pharmacists, posing a significant risk to public health and safety. The survey, conducted by the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Society (PPS), highlights the growing trend of unlicensed staff managing pharmaceutical operations, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications, providing essential advice to customers on proper drug administration, side effects, and potential interactions. However, due to a shortage of trained professionals and a lack of stringent enforcement of regulations, many medical stores are failing to comply with the requirement to have qualified pharmacists on staff.
“The absence of pharmacists in medical stores is a serious concern,” said Dr. Ayesha Bukhari, a member of the PPS. “It compromises the quality of healthcare and increases the risk of medication errors, improper prescriptions, and misuse of drugs, especially over-the-counter medications.”
The survey also revealed that many of the unqualified personnel working in medical stores lack the necessary knowledge to provide accurate health advice, leading to confusion and potential harm to consumers.
In response to the issue, the Pakistan government has been urged to take stricter actions to enforce regulations that require qualified pharmacists to be present in every medical store. Additionally, the PPS has called for improved training and education programs to address the growing demand for skilled pharmacists in the country.
While some medical stores are beginning to make efforts to address the issue, the scale of the problem indicates the need for systemic changes to improve the standard of pharmaceutical care in Pakistan.
