malpractices in drugs sale and implementation of pharmaceutical care

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical care is a necessary element of health care system and is provided for the direct benefit of the patient. Community pharmacists are considered the professionals of choice in this area as they are in direct contact with a large number of populations. In order to properly implement the concept of pharmaceutical care, it is necessary to first fulfill the legal requirements as those are directly related to the sales of drugs. The current scenario of pharmacies / medical stores in terms of legal aspects was investigated by carrying out a field survey. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed to 250 local pharmacies and medical stores at various locations of Karachi. The questionnaire contained some basic information in terms of the presence of pharmacist, qualification of non-pharmacist, presence of a valid license, availability of compounding facility in the pharmacy, whether the selling of non-OTC drugs is on prescription or without prescription, storage facility of drugs, disposal of expired drugs and awareness of drug act, 1976 and related rules. Out of 250 visited medical stores and pharmacies, 160 participated in the survey, whose results are summarized in the study