Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) has staged protest demonstration against shortage of pharmacists in public sector health facilities in Sindh, demanding the appointment of pharmacists in the facilities as per the guidelines laid down by World Health Organisation's (WHO).

The Sindh chapter of PPA protested outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and urged the Sindh government to immediately appoint the pharmacists at hospitals in order to facilitate the patients.

The protest demo was attended by large number pharmacists and chemists.

"The Supreme Court of Pakistan had ruled that a pharmacist should be appointed in 50-beded health facility but government has still failed to do so," said Dr Ajmal Bhutto, President PPA Sindh chapter.

He said other three provinces - Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are following the standards of WHO but the Sindh government has still not made progress in this regard.

Sharing the breakup of number of pharmacists in the public sector facilities in country, he said Punjab ranked top with 1200 pharmacists, 415 in Balochistan and while only 160 pharmacists have been employed in Sindh's hospital.

He also demanded of the government to make pharmacy council effective to expedite registration process of pharmacists in the province, adding that secretary pharmacy council should be replaced forthwith in this regard.

He also demanded of the government to appoint drug inspectors on district level.