Dear Sir,
In Bangladesh's government healthcare system, the presence of a trained pharmacist is crucial for ensuring proper medication management and safe treatment for patients. Unfortunately, a severe shortage of pharmacists has persisted for a long time at most upazila and district-level health centers. As a result, patients are being deprived of proper access to medication, the risk of incorrect drug administration is increasing, and public health is being put at serious risk.
At present, many Upazila Health Complexes do not even have a single pharmacist. In places where pharmacists are appointed, they are overwhelmed with excessive administrative duties and cannot properly fulfill their primary responsibilities. Many community clinics and union health centers have no arrangement for pharmacist appointments at all, yet medicine distribution continues there on a regular basis. This has made wrong medication, the use of expired drugs, and irregular storage common occurrences. The government spends a significant amount of money every year to supply medicines, but due to the lack of proper utilization, public resources are being wasted and people's lives are being endangered. It is, therefore, imperative to take immediate steps to address this crisis.
I earnestly urge the Directorate General of Health Services and relevant authorities to ensure the appointment of adequate pharmacists at every government health center.
Progga Das
Student, Department of Economics
Eden Mohila College
