Drug stores accused of spreading disinformation

Mysore, July 26- Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) has cautioned the people against the disinformation spread by the drug store owners in the country that they need not employ qualified pharmacists.IPA Vice-President and JSS Pharmacy College Principal Dr. B.G. Nagavi, addressing a press conference at Rajendra Bhavan here this morning, said that the pharmacy traders were sending false message to the public, government and politicians that pharmacists were not required to run the shops.

Condemning this false propaganda, Dr. Nagavi said that the traders were trying to avoid the recruitment of qualified pharmacists as ordinary salesmen were available for less salary.

Dr. Nagavi observed that the role of pharmacists was inevitable as there are more than 70,000 brands of medicines in the market and even the doctors need counselling from the pharmacists on the possible side effects of the medicine.

The Principal regretted that hospital pharmacists were reduced to the level of storekeepers and community pharmacists had become sellers and traders.

The IPA is conducting a seminar for practicising pharmacists tomorrow at JSS College of Pharmacy which will be inaugurated by IPA President Mr. Praful D. Sheth. IPA's Central Executive Council is also meeting in the City tomorrow.

IPA Branch Secretary Mr. Kulkarni was present at the press conference.-MRS&RR