GERARD DE SOUZA
PANJIM: Dispensing of medicines at public health establishments, especially those offering primary health services, has been going on in the absence of qualified persons i.e. pharmacists as mandated by law.
While in some health centres, both urban and rural, the post of the pharmacist is vacant, in other centres there is only one person appointed, and in his/her absence either due to leave or training or other reasons during the interim period, the medicines are dispensed by unqualified persons. In the third category of centres, there isn’t even such a post created, leaving patients at perennial risk.
“Previously this issue was highlighted and also raised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Association. Besides, in the four urban health centres (UHCs) in Goa, there is no post of pharmacist created at all and thus everyday the law is violated, and the patients face the risk of being given medicines by unqualified persons,” a source from the health sector said.
All that the Director of Health Services Dr Sanjeev Dalvi said when confronted with the issue was that he was on leave and out of station and that this reporter should contact the acting director who is temporarily holding charge.
As per the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and as per the Pharmacy Act 1948, dispensing of medicines must be done only by or under the direct supervision of a qualified pharmacist.
“Unfortunately, in Goa, this law is blatantly flaunted by the very government that is supposed to implement the law,” the source said.
That the state health establishment is aware of the problem is evident from the fact that Dr Dalvi issued a circular a year back that reads thus:
“It has been brought to the notice of the undersigned that some centres are dispensing drugs to patients without the service of [a] pharmacist. Dispensing of drugs is very critical and important for patients’ safety and hence all dispensing of drugs should essentially be undertaken only under the supervision of a qualified and registered pharmacist.”
One year on, however, nothing seems to have changed on the ground. Neither has the health establishment made any effort to study and calculate the need of pharmacists in their establishments nor filled up existing posts to ensure that even those appointed are enough to cater to the needs of their establishments.
The Directorate of Health Services runs six hospitals~ the Asilo Hospital at Mapusa, Hospicio in Margao, Cottage Hospital in Chicalim, TB Hospital in Margao, Drug Detoxification Centre and the Leprosy Hospital in Macazana.
Besides it runs five community health centres and 19 primary health centres, besides several sub-health centres and rural medical dispensaries.
Besides issuing a circular, there have been no efforts by the DHS to either create posts or fill up existing posts or show any urgency in dealing with the issue.
