DHAKA: The High Court directed the authorities concerned of the government to take necessary measures for stopping the sale of antibiotics from pharmacies without prescription. 

The bench of Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif and Justice Razik-Al Jalil on Thursday (April 25) passed the order and issued a rule after hearing a writ petition. 

In the rule, the court asked authorities concerned to explain why the antibiotics sale without prescription across the country should not be declared illegal.

Director General of Department of Heath has been asked to send the order to the Civil Surgeon and DCs of the districts within two days of receiving the order, said Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon, a Supreme Court lawyer who filed the petition as public interest litigation.

The court also instructed the Civil Surgeon and DCs of the districts to take necessary steps to stop sale of antibiotics without prescription immediately after receiving the order.

Earlier on Wednesday (April 24), a writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking its directives to make mandatory the doctor’s prescription for purchase of antibiotics from pharmacies.

Health secretary, public administration secretary, director general of department of health services and others concerned were made defendants.

In the writ petition, the petitioner sought a HC rule upon authorities’ concerned seeking explanation why sale of antibiotics without prescription should not be declared illegal.

Barrister Sumon mentioned a research conducted by World health Organization (WHO) with the writ petition. According to the research, Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines. Bacteria become antibiotic-resistant.

Because of this trend, seven million people die every year in the world. By the year 2050, the number will go up to 1 crore.

BDST: 1617 HRS, APR 25, 2019
RS/SMS