IT is our responsibility to contribute, in any possible way, to the betterment of society. Being a medical student, I feel irritated to see quacks and even professional doctors prescribing medicine irresponsibly. We have been taught throughout our careers that certain antibiotics should be used as a last resort. But, unfortunately, they are being prescribed unchecked.

For example, Levofloxacin, is available in many local brands. Almost every physician is prescribing this drug, either to get hefty commissions from pharmaceuticals or to increase their number of patients. In both the situations, patients suffer.

Besides side-effects, the important problem is drug resistance. What will we do if this drug stops working? Then we will have no option!

Doctors should follow the medical protocols with sincerity, thereby avoiding the loss of dignity of their noble profession. There should be some serious action taken to stop self-medication, which is most often promoted by drug dispensaries.

Nouman Nathani

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2016