HEALTH

IMA opposes decision on viagra prescription
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
The Punjab Chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has reacted strongly to the directive of the Government restricting the prescription of miracle drug “Viagra” (Sildenafil Citrate). The IMA feels that every qualified medical practitioner is competent enough to prescribe this drug.

Reaction of the IMA is in response to a directive of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Drugs Control Department which says that sildenafil citrate has been cleared as new drug by the Drugs Controller General.

The preparation of this drug in the form of tablets are currently available under the trade names of Edegra of Sun Pharma, Caverta of Ranbaxy, Penegra of Cadila Zydus and Androz of Torrent. The directive said that drug can be misused. So it should be sold on the prescription of Urologist, Psychiatrist and Endocrinologist only.

In view of the above directive the Government of India said that violations of conditions stated on the label of this drug will be viewed seriously under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. The directive also advised that the drug should be purchased by the said specialists from the chemist only on written order and they should also maintain purchase records of this drug.

The District President of the IMA, Dr Gursharan Singh, said that there were several medicines being sold in the market without proper prescription that needed to be controlled immediately. He urged the state and the central governments to take stringent measures to ensure that chemists did not sell these medicines unless prescribed by a registered medical practitioner.

Citing examples of drug abuse by schools and college going student, he said that many youngsters were becoming drug addicts because drugs like Benadryl, Phensidryl, Calmpose, Valium, Diazepam, etc were freely available without prescription.

SPORT

PAU vet college in semis
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 25
Veterinary College of Punjab Agriculture University and host Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College (GNE) ‘A’ team reserved their seats in the semifinals of the 6th Pilot Officer MS Gill Memorial All-India Inter Professional College Hockey Tournament being played on at GNE College here.

In the first match today, Veterinary College defeated GNE ‘B’ team, 5-2. The players from the winner side played very well. Navdeep Singh Hunny scored 3 goal while Sukhdeep Singh Gill scored 2 goals. For GNE ‘B’ Charanjit Singh Cherry alone scored 2 goals.

In the second match, GNE ‘A’ defeated Guru Teg Bahadur College, Mallot, 3-0. Dharminder Singh, Gagandeep Singh and Harjit Pal Singh scored 1 goal, each, for winners.

Volleyball tourney

Central Sectorial, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Vidharbha teams succeeded to secure their places in the semifinals of the 10th All India Shooting Volleyball Tournament organised by the Madhopuri Welfare Association in the memory of late Ram Lubhaya Dhawan.

In quarter-final matches Central Sectorial, Delhi, defeated Rajasthan teams, 2-0 (16-14, 16-12), Dewas, Delhi, beat Ludhiana Shooting Ball Club, 2-1 (9-16, 16-8, 16-11), Vidharbha defeated Sanjay Club, Sonepat, 2-1 (11-16, 16-5, 16-2) and Madhya Pradesh defeated Haridwar, 2-0 (16-7, 16-12).

League match results: Rajasthan defeated Hisar, 2-1; Rajasthan defeated Punjab, 2-0; Haridwar beat Shivpuri, 2-0; Sanjay Club, Sonepat, beat Karam Bhumi Club, 2-0; Madhya Pradesh beat Jahjhar, 2-0; Sanjay Club, Sonepat beat Rajasthan, 2-0; and Ludhiana District Shooting Ball Association beat Haridwar, 2-1.