In gross violation of norms, nurses and other staff members are dispensing medicines to the patients in the Gandhi Centenary Eye Hospital (GCEH). large number of the patients visit this Government hospital set up for the specialised eye treatment Apart from eye specialists, dermatologists and physicians are also appointed in the hospital which cater large number of patients. The hospital also dispenses prescribed by the doctors and in absence of pharmacists, nurses and other staff members are seen dispensing medicines to the patients here. The fact that it is happening in a government hospital is surprising since the pharmacy act 1948 and drug and cosmetics act clearly mandate that certified pharmacists should be deployed for distribution, storage, safe keep of medicine and injections. The World Health Organization (WHO) also released a circular on October 16, 1988 in which role of pharmacists in distribution and handling of medicines was elaborated. In fact that law is so stringent that every selling medicine should compulsorily have a trained pharmacist and his certificate is displayed prominently in the shop.
The general secretary of Diploma Pharmacists Association Sudha Kukreti said that it is unfortunate that no pharmacist was deployed in the government Gandhi Centenary Eye hospital though it is functioning for almost a year now. She said that the association has brought the matter to the notice of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dehradun. She claimed that the CMO has assured that two pharmacists would be soon deployed in the hospital. Kukreti said that the association would be forced to start an agitation if the non pharmacists continue to dispense medicine in the hospital.
When contacted in charge of GCEH and consultant ophthalmologist, Dr R C Nagpal told The Pioneer that only common medicines are being dispensed by the hospital. He accepted that in absence of pharmacist staff nurse is giving medicines to the patient. Dr Nagpal however added that the hospital has requested the authorities to provide pharmacists to the hospital.a