Anantnag: Orientation Programme to generate consumer awareness on price monitoring and availability of pharmaceutical drugs was organized in District Anantnag by Price Monitoring & Resource Unit, (PMRU) J&K in collaboration with Drug control organization Anantnag & Kulgam. The objective of the Programme was to highlight the importance of Affordability, Accessibility  and Availability of safe, quality and efficacious drugs to the end users and to create awareness among consumers and stakeholders regarding reporting of  shortage/non availibility of drugs particularly  Life saving/essential medicines in the U T of J&K. The programme was attended by  various stake holders , general public, representatives from Pharma Associations and Drug Regulatory Authorities.

On the occasion, Mr. Hashmat Ali  (IAS) Commissioner FDA J&K the  Chief Guest of the orientation/awareness program highlighted the importance of PMRU in the Union territory of J&K and added that the said unit plays a key role for Availability, Accessibility  Affordability, & Acceptability  of medical products . the chief guest expressed his hope that pharmacists are basic pillars of healthcare delivery system and the role to be performed by them bears a paramount significance. He emphasized that an aggressive awareness campaign can also help to generate mass awareness about consumer related issues in pharma business.

Smt Lotika khajuria State drug controller, while speaking on the occasion sensitized the stakeholders about the primary functioning of PMRU and its mandate.  She said that NPPA is the nodal agency for monitoring of the prices of drugs besides ensuring their  availability as also raising consumer awareness. She said that PMRUs act as collaborating partners of NPPA with information gathering mechanisms at the grass-roots level to ensure seamless availability of all essential medicines.The PMRUs have also a mandate of   reporting of all the violations/ breaches viz-a-viz pricing  of scheduled and non-scheduled formulation to NPPA through State Drugs Controller.

Smt Irfana Ahmad , Joint drugs controller J&K  also spoke on the occasion and sought active co-operation of all stakeholders for bringing effective changes in the pricing scenario of drug molecules. She said that the department shall continue to organize several awareness programmes to rope in support for the PMRU initiatives. Among the other speakers, Mohd. Iqbal Pala Deputy drugs controller Jammu spoke about the concerns revolving around Drug Abuse & measures to curb the menace and Mr. Mr.Surinder  Mohan Tikoo, Deputy Drugs Controllers (HQ) J&K  presented a detailed overview of misuse of Antibiotics, its repurcussions & role and responsibility of the Pharma trade fraternity on the subject concern.

Miss Hinna Hamid  gave a detailed overview of the activities undertaken by PRMU of the UT. She explained the activities undertaken by NPPA and PMRU. She sought the coordination of Stake Holders  required to expose incidents of overcharging by pharma companies for initiating action by NPPA.
Mrs Rumeesa Muhamad Assistant Drugs Controller Anantnag and Kulgam gave presentation on functioning of drug control organisation anantnag and activeties carried out during the financial year.

Mr Ghulam Mustafa Khan Drugs control officer (HQ) Kulgam gave delibrated on varrious provisions govering good storage practises and safe handling of expired drugs. Mr  Syed Nazirul Islam  Drugs Control Officer Kokernag/Dooru Anantnag  presented vote of thanks to the participants.

The State Drug Controller (J&K) also paid a visit to the  land identified for the construction of Office Complex of  Drug & Food Control Office in Anantnag District.