There is growing concern regarding the sale of medicines without prescriptions in Karachi. Despite the normalisation of this practice, it is a serious issue that can lead to grave long-term and short-term health problems. Many pharmaceutical stores are selling medication without asking patients for a prescription.
Stores are often operating without trained healthcare professionals who lack the required medical knowledge. People are easily able to buy high-dose antibiotics among other medications without prescriptions, simply based on suggestions from others.
Taking such medicines without proper medical guidance can lead to resistance to such medicines or even medicine toxicity. It is important that strict actions are taken against such unauthorised stores. Additionally, proper counselling needs to be given to people about drug usage.
Duaa Jokhio
Karachi
