HYDERABAD, Aug 12: Scholars, scientists and pharmacists have stressed the importance of pharmacy for proper healthcare and the need for serious efforts to boost its education and research in the field.

They were speaking at a seminar on “New Trends in the Practice of Pharmacy” organised by faculty of pharmacy, University of Sindh, here on Saturday.

They said that services of pharmacists were essential to assess quality of medicines, to create awareness among patients about drugs and proper sale of medicines at medical stores.

The seminar was attended by doctors, pharmacists and representatives of pharmaceutical companies from all over the province.

They said that there was a shortage of pharmacists in hospitals and medical stores are usually run by non-professionals.They emphasised proper training of pharmacists and due recognition of this important profession.

The speakers pointed out that there was need of 80,000 pharmacists in the country but only 6,000 pharmacists are available.

In his presidential address, the vice-chancellor Sindh University Mazharul Haq Siddiqui said that medical profession is a noble profession, which helps mankind to reduce their pain and treat illness.

He said that the university, realising the importance of pharmacy, has upgraded the institute. He said that a project of Rs100 million has been launched which was near completion and added that under this project, equipment amounting to Rs16 million and glassware and books at a cost of Rs10 million have been provided.

Director-general health services Sindh, Dr Hadi Bux Jatoi said that society has been facing many problems including a lack of proper health care system.

He said that doctors are advising costly medicines to poor patients of those companies which are providing them facilities.

He said that medical stores are being run by the owners and claimed that there was no pharmacist at a single medical store.