<p>Pharmacists in the city went on a protest on Friday, opposing the changes proposed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which will allow various stakeholders to prescribe medicines.</p>.<p>The recent draft by the Centre to amend Schedule K of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act will allow community health workers, accredited social health activists, nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs.</p>.<p>H M Arun Patel, a protesters, said: “The amendment can put people’s lives in danger.” Patel was among the 200 students and pharmacists who gathered at Town Hall to express their views against the draft.</p>.<p>“These people have no knowledge about patients’ safety. Only a registered pharmacist can dispense medicines as per the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Anyone else doing it, will amount to a crime,” Patel said.</p>.<p>He also said it was a question of job opportunity for many students who were pursuing the course currently. “If everyone is allowed to dispense medicines, students will be left with fewer employment options,” he said.</p>.<p>Students from various pharmacy colleges and members of the Karnataka Pharmacy Management Association expressed solidarity with the protesters.</p>
<p>Pharmacists in the city went on a protest on Friday, opposing the changes proposed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945, which will allow various stakeholders to prescribe medicines.</p>.<p>The recent draft by the Centre to amend Schedule K of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act will allow community health workers, accredited social health activists, nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs.</p>.<p>H M Arun Patel, a protesters, said: “The amendment can put people’s lives in danger.” Patel was among the 200 students and pharmacists who gathered at Town Hall to express their views against the draft.</p>.<p>“These people have no knowledge about patients’ safety. Only a registered pharmacist can dispense medicines as per the Pharmacy Act, 1948. Anyone else doing it, will amount to a crime,” Patel said.</p>.<p>He also said it was a question of job opportunity for many students who were pursuing the course currently. “If everyone is allowed to dispense medicines, students will be left with fewer employment options,” he said.</p>.<p>Students from various pharmacy colleges and members of the Karnataka Pharmacy Management Association expressed solidarity with the protesters.</p>