In Pakistan, more than 500,000 people lose their lives annually due to medical errors, especially medication misuse. This alarming statistic arises as only 5% of the country’s pharmacies are staffed with trained and certified pharmacists, and half of the hospitals operate without pharmacy experts.
This issue was highlighted during the first Medication Safety Conference organized by Roz Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services in Karachi. The conference brought together health experts, pharmacists, and leaders from the pharmaceutical industry, who shed light on the severe consequences of running medical stores and pharmacies without trained pharmacists and the widespread misuse of medications.
Dr. Asim Rauf, CEO of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), acknowledged that medication misuse is a global issue. However, in Pakistan, the extent of the damage remains unclear due to underreporting. He emphasized that doctors are not adequately trained to prevent medication errors, whereas pharmacists have the capability to mitigate such risks. “No hospital or pharmacy should operate without a pharmacist,” he said, adding that efforts are underway to ensure the safe use of medications per WHO recommendations.
Dr. Rauf urged medical professionals to identify adverse drug reactions and medical issues to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems and prevent deaths caused by medication misuse.
Dire State of Pharmacies in Pakistan
Syed Jamshed Ahmed, Director of Roz Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services, criticized the state of pharmacies in Pakistan, revealing that only 3,000 out of 60,000 pharmacies nationwide have certified pharmacists. “The remaining 95% are run by untrained staff, similar to grocery stores, often leading to fatal errors in dispensing medications,” he said. He called for legislation to make operating a pharmacy without a pharmacist a criminal offense.
Ahmed highlighted Roz Alkhidmat’s efforts, stating that their pharmacies employ certified pharmacists to provide quality medicines and assist patients with accurate dosages and usage.
Impact of Errors and Need for Reporting
Abdul Latif Sheikh, a prominent pharmacist and former Director of Pharmacy Services at Aga Khan University Hospital, noted that handwritten prescriptions by doctors often lead to errors. “Untrained staff frequently dispense incorrect medicines due to illegible prescriptions, resulting in fatalities,” he said, emphasizing the need for safe raw materials and fearless error reporting.
Dr. Saqib Ansari, Director of Medical Services at Roz Alkhidmat, proposed introducing a paid one-year internship program for pharmacists. “Pharmacists have proven their role in reducing hospital mortality rates. They should prioritize serving the country instead of seeking opportunities abroad,” he said, offering such initiatives at Alkhidmat hospitals.
Role of Women Pharmacists and Community Engagement
Sheikh Qaiser Waheed, a representative of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), lamented that 90% of pharmacists, primarily women, leave the profession after marriage or avoid work. He urged parents to encourage both sons and daughters to pursue careers in pharmacy and contribute to the sector.
Best Practices in Medication Safety
The Executive Director of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) described daily procedures to ensure safe medication use for hundreds of cardiac patients. Similarly, Professor Basheer Hanif, Managing Director of Tabba Heart Institute, detailed steps to prevent hazardous medication use and promote safety.
Senior practitioners, including Professor Abdul Malik and Dr. Azeemuddin, highlighted the critical role of pharmacists in improving patient outcomes. Dr. Zahid Latif, Chairman of Alkhidmat Foundation, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to accessible healthcare and called for collective efforts to address the challenges of safe medication use.
