Budgam, September 2: The Budgam Chemists and Distributors Association (BCDA) held an important meeting in Budgam under the chairmanship of District President Shaukat Ahmad Baghdadi to discuss the growing menace of drug abuse, issues faced by the chemist community, matters related to the Drug Control Department, and measures to prevent the misuse of prescription medicines.
The meeting was attended by office bearers, members of the Association, and presidents from various tehsils of Budgam district. Participants highlighted the challenges confronting the chemist fraternity and discussed difficulties affecting legitimate pharmaceutical businesses.
Speakers observed that the increasing use of narcotics has emerged as a serious social concern and stressed that the government, Health Department, Drug Control Department, chemist community, parents, educational institutions, civil society, and the public must work together to tackle the problem.
Speaking to the media, District President Shaukat Ahmad Baghdadi said the Association would intensify its anti-drug awareness campaign in the coming days. He said proposals are under consideration to organize large-scale awareness programmes at both tehsil and district levels, with a special focus on educating young people and students about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
He added that the Association had already organized a major awareness programme and preparations are underway for another large district-level campaign.
The speakers urged chemists to discharge their professional responsibilities with honesty and ensure strict compliance with all laws and regulations governing the sale, distribution, and dispensing of medicines. Expressing concern over the misuse of certain medicines by youth without valid prescriptions, they appealed to chemists not to sell such medicines without a genuine prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner.
The speakers further stated that the pharmacy sector not only provides livelihoods to those currently engaged in the profession but also has the potential to generate employment opportunities in the future. They emphasized that the legitimate concerns of law-abiding chemists should be addressed on a priority basis through the appropriate forums.
The meeting also stressed that lawful business activities and employment should not be unnecessarily disrupted and that the genuine issues of the chemist community should be resolved through consultation, dialogue, and cooperation.
Members were urged to remain patient, responsible, and avoid any form of provocation or disorder. The speakers emphasized that all genuine grievances should be addressed through legal and constitutional means.
The Association assured its members that anyone facing regulatory or business-related difficulties concerning the Drug Control Department should approach the Association without hesitation. It pledged to make every legal and constitutional effort to safeguard the legitimate rights of chemists and facilitate lawful business activities.
Among those present were District President Shaukat Salam Dar, General Secretary Budgam Qadri Bhat, Chadoora President M. Ashraf Ghani, Khag Tehsil President Mohammad Rafiq Malik, Chadoora Vice President Mudassir Ghani, Khag General Secretary Hilal Bhat, Budgam President Qazi Imtiyaz Ahmad, Budgam Secretary Altaf Nazir Ghani, Khansahib President Sheikh Meraj, Khansahib General Secretary Parvez Ahmad Bhat, Mohammad Hanief Dar, Zafar Ahmad, Shaukat Ali, N. Ranga, Yaqoob Hussain Bhat, Bilal Mirza, and several other members.
At the conclusion of the meeting, General Secretary Hilal Ahmad Paray thanked all participants for their active participation and cooperation.
Later, a delegation led by the President and office bearers of the Budgam Chemists and Distributors Association met State Drug Controller Rajesh Kumar and Assistant Drug Controller Zafar Ahmad in Srinagar. During the meeting, the delegation discussed various issues concerning chemists and distributors, regulatory matters related to the Drug Control Department, and challenges affecting legitimate business activities.
The delegation emphasized the need to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the Association and the Drug Control Department so that the genuine concerns of the chemist community can be resolved through dialogue while ensuring effective implementation of laws governing the sale and distribution of medicines.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to continue collective efforts to create awareness against drug abuse, promote the responsible use of medicines, and protect society from the harmful effects of narcotic substances.
