Date:14/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/14/stories/2006121421260400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Drug information centres planned

Staff Reporter

Project to promote rational use of drugs

Counselling and drug information to patients to be provided

BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, in coordinaton with the World Health Organisation (WHO), India, will set up drug information centres in five States in a bid to promote rational use of drugs among medical professionals and consumers.

Graeme M. Vernon, Senior Drug Information Practitioner, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia, who inaugurated the Council's "Drug Information Training Programme" on Tuesday, said the project would disseminate authentic and unbiased drug information to medical and paramedical professionals and consumers.

The project would not only facilitate the starting of five independent drug information centres in India but also provide tailor-made counselling and drug information to patients.

President of the pharmacy council D.A. Gundu Rao said the five centres would be set up in Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Goa and Assam.

P.K. Lakshmi, Director of Drug Information, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, said that these centres would act as State-level drug information centres for healthcare professionals and the public. These centres would conduct awareness activities to spread this concept in their States.