Karnataka: Draft allowing Asha workers to issue drugs opposed

BENGALURU: Pharmacists in the state have raised strong objections to a recent draft notification issued by the Centre empowering Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha) workers, nurses and midwives to issue drugs specified under Schedule-K of the Drug & Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

Earlier, only registered pharmacists could dispense these drugs through government supplies in hospitals. Chemists allege the move could lead to misuse of essential drugs. The government has provided 45 days to send objections, if any. The draft pertains to a wide range of medicines, including paracetamol and aspirin to anti-malarial drugs.

DA Gundu Rao, vice-president, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC), termed the draft an attack on the heart of the Pharmacy Act, 1948. As per Section 42 of the Act, no person other than a registered pharmacist is allowed to compound, prepare, mix or dispense any medicine on the prescription of a medical practitioner. "Only a qualified person who knows the drug composition is competent to issue it to a patient. If unqualified people like Asha workers are allowed to do so, how can one ensure health safety? If someone complains of a headache, there could be 25 reasons behind it. One can't prescribe one medicine for all of them," Rao said.

Recollecting how free distribution of iron tablets in parts of the country had led to complications years ago, Rao called for prioritising health safety. KSPC held a meeting to discuss the draft on Friday and asked pharmacists to oppose it.

Pharmacists said the draft will lead to problems related to storage as well as self-medication. "The draft is also proof that the government doesn't have enough qualified RMPs in rural areas," she said.

RR College of Pharmacy in Chikkabanavara has issued a 'red alert' to over 50,000 pharmacists across the state to 'save the profession' by sending objections to the ministry.

Prof R Ravee ndra of RRCP said: "Every professional has a duty to perform. Just like we can't ask a nurse to perform a different duty, how can anganwadi workers do a pharmacist's job? The draft must be dropped." He cited the example of other countries where a doctor prescribes drugs and a pharmacist carefully studies the prescription before supplying them.