Alkhidmat to train pharmacists to control counterfeit, spurious drugs

The unchecked spread of counterfeit and substandard medicines is posing a severe threat to public health in Pakistan, experts warned at an event organised by Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services.

To tackle the crisis, the Alkhidmat has launched the Bano Qabil Pharmacist initiative, aimed at equipping young pharmacists with the skills needed to detect and prevent the circulation of fake medicines.

The programme’s latest aptitude test held in Karachi saw participation of 900 pharmacy students, selected from over 3,000 applicants after a rigorous screening process. Addressing the event, Karachi Jamaat-e-Islami Emir and President of Alkhidmat Karachi Munem Zafar Khan described counterfeit drugs as a silent epidemic that caused devastation like narcotics.

He emphasised that trained pharmacists were the first line of defence against counterfeit drugs, adding that Pakistan suffered from a shortage of skilled pharmacy professionals. “By empowering young pharmacists, we are ensuring the availability of safe medication and strengthening our healthcare system,” he noted.

According to Syed Jamshed Ahmed, director of the Alkhidmat Pharmacy Services, successful candidates from the aptitude test will undergo a three-month paid internship to enhance their expertise.

Speaking at the event, Abdul Latif Shaikh, president of the Pakistan Society of Health System Pharmacists, commended Alkhidmat’s efforts, stressing the urgent need to develop highly skilled pharmacists who can play a crucial role in combating counterfeit medicines.