Control quality of drugs for health security
Rights activists urge govt
Health rights activists at a workshop yesterday stressed the need for quality control and proper use of drugs to ensure people's health security.
They expressed concern over the government's slackness in controlling and monitoring to ensure safe drugs.
They also talked on absence of pharmacists at pharmacies, shortage of manpower at Directorate General of Drug Administration, poorly equipped drug testing laboratories and limitations of the age old drug acts.
The workshop titled “People's Health Security: Quality Control of Drugs, its Usage and People's Awareness” was held at city's BIAM auditorium.
Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast) and Rights to Worker and Consumer Safety and Public Accountability in Bangladesh Project jointly organised the workshop.
Presenting the keynote paper, Selim Azad Chowdhury, president of Association of Drug Regulatory Affairs, recommended for rules and regulations to bring transparency in the drug ordinance of 1982.
Emphasising the need for specific regulation for the drug acts, drug import, marketing and advertisement, he said, “Absence of regulation means influential people can often explain it as per their will.”
The activists also stressed the need for proper implementation of the drug related laws enacted from 1982 to 2005.
If anybody dies after consuming tainted drugs, trial should take place under the drug court, they said.
Gonoshasthaya University former vice chancellor Dr Qasem Chowdhury said professionalism, responsibility and accountability among doctors are very important.
“The Bangladesh Medical Association and Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council can play an important role in this regard. But these bodies need to overcome their lack in manpower and skill capacity,” he said.
Health Adviser Dr Syed Modasser Ali spoke as the chief guest and ZI Khan Panna, chairman of Legal Aid and Human Rights Committee of Bangladesh Bar Council, moderated the workshop.
Bangladesh Medical Association Secretary General Dr Mohammad Sharfuddin; Directorate General of Health Services Director General Dr Khondhaker Shefyetullah and Blast Vice President Justice Mohammad Awlad Ali also spoke.
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