‘Substandard drugs being sold in markets’

Monetary gains taking priority over human health: Economy Watch.

LAHORE:

Hundreds of companies producing substandard medicines are pumping their products into the marketplace, which may be fatal for consumers, according to Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) President Dr Murtaza Mughal.

Some businesses are importing medicines which are labelled as food items and selling them through doctors, with the help of regulators. According to PEW, many doctors are prescribing costly and substandard medicines to patients and conducting unnecessary tests on them in order to gain commission.

“Financial gain is taking priority over the health of patients,” said Mughal. The PEW chief called upon the government and civil society to launch awareness programmes for patients.

Organised crime against humanity should be stopped in the medical profession, healthcare institutions, private clinics and pharmaceutical companies, demanded Mughal.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2011.