Ghost pharmacists in KP
Editorial
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, if someone visits a medicine shop or pharmacy, they would see the licenses and certifications displayed on the walls, supposedly guaranteeing the expertise of the professionals handling the medications. However, a disturbing reality lurks behind this situation. The phenomenon of ‘ghost pharmacists’ has become a pressing concern in the province, putting the lives of millions of people at great risk.
Ghost pharmacists refer to the practice of medicine shops operating without a licensed pharmacist on premises. Despite displaying the required licenses, these establishments often have unqualified and untrained individuals to dispense medications, interpret prescriptions, and offer medical advice, which is a blatant disregard for the law and public safety.
The consequences of this practice are dire. Unqualified staff may misinterpret prescriptions, dispense incorrect medications, or overlook potentially hazardous drug interactions. Patients, unaware of the risks, trust the advice of these untrained individuals, putting their health and lives in jeopardy. This is particularly alarming for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic conditions.
The absence of pharmacists also undermines the role of these healthcare professionals in ensuring patient safety, medication adherence, and disease management. Pharmacists play a critical role in monitoring the potential side effects, identifying contraindications, and providing essential counseling on medication use.
To address this pressing issue, policymakers and regulatory agencies, including DRAP and KP health department, must take immediate action by conducting regular and unannounced inspections to verify the presence of licensed pharmacists, imposing severe penalties on non-compliant establishments, educating patients about the risks, and providing training programs for pharmacists and supporting staff.
The presence of ghost pharmacists in medicine shops is a ticking time bomb, threatening the very foundation of our healthcare system. The government and higher authorities must act collectively to prevent this menace from claiming innocent lives, while it is the high time to ensure that all the pharmacies in the province are staffed by qualified professionals, committed to patient care and safety.
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