A society that exploits the sick and destitute is doomed. According to press reports Federal Government has replaced an honest professional (Dr Obaid Ali) from post of Federal Drug Analyst for his refusal to declare 181 fake medicines as genuine. It exposes their corruption and total disregard for health of ordinary citizens of Pakistan. During past four years, when Health was a federal subject, manufacture of spurious drugs increased, because of failure of Drug Regulatory Authority to exercise strict controls. We have witnessed millions displaced and thousands killed by floods in past two years, not because of lack of funds allocated for construction of bridges, roads, protective bunds and drainage system, but because of state patronised corruption that allows substandard construction, or even in some cases their mere existence on papers, while billions are pocketed by this nexus between corrupt bureaucracy, contractors and politicians. It seems even exposure of Ephedrine scam has not deterred the corrupt from playing with lives of poor.

It was one such drug manufactured by a Karachi based firm that resulted in deaths of over 100 poor citizens being treated by Punjab Institute of Cardiology at Lahore. Why this criminal apathy driven by greed of a government whose major component PPP claims to be a champion of the poor and downtrodden. No wonder the ruling elite rushes abroad for treatment, knowingly fully well that fake medicines are in abundance, which they themselves have approved. This is big money business, where billions are made and few billions doled out to corrupt bureaucracy for their unethical practices and favors. Those bureaucrats, traders and politicians involved are guilty of murder.
MALIK TARIQ ALI,
Lahore, July 16.