Reduce profit margins for life- saving drugs: TN Governor

Chennai, Nov 18 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala today stressed that drugs of widest need must be produced in large quantities at lowest possible prices, in conformity with the strictest standards.

Inaugurating the 45th National Pharmacy Week celebrations , organised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Association and Indian Pharmacists Association here, he said profit magins for life-saving drugs should be reduced and this approach should be supported by adequate research base.

Stating that a pharmacist was a responsible member of the pharmaceutical spectrum and accountable to the society, he said 'our pharmacists have to be trained to handle newer challenges in their profession. Pharmacy education has to be upgraded with the syllabus modified periodically to cater to new challenges in the field'.

The country's pharmaceutical industry had made rapid strides over the last few years and was in the proces of becoming a global leader in raw materials production, he said, adding from being an import- dependent industry it had achieved self-suficiency and gained universal recognition as a producer of low-cost-high-quality bulk drugs and formulations.

He said it was gratifying to note that even small and medium pharmaceutical enterprises were exporting products to various countries.

On the theme of the programme 'Self Medication-How Safe? Ask your pharmacist', he cautioned against self-medication and hoped that the programme would be of use to the pharmaceutical industry and create an awareness of the negative side of self-medication.

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