Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that our pharmacists have earned the faith of fellow countrymen through honest and dedicated service, noted writer and humorist Prof. M. Krishnegowda said that it is, however regrettable to note that the Governments have been ignoring pharmacists in conferment of awards and prizes.

He was speaking at the conferment of the first ‘Rotary Pharmacist and Chemist’ award at the M. Niranjanmurthy Memorial and World Pharmacist Day programme organised by Rotary Mysore North at Ideal Jawa Rotary Hall on JLB Road here on Monday.

Contending that Pharma lobby in America is so strong that it can control Governments there, Prof. Krishnegowda said that the situation in our country is quite different with Pharma sector reaching out to the people by remaining in the service sector. Noting that many people get over the counter medicines for common ailments such as fever, cold, cough etc., from Pharmacies even without having a doctor’s prescription, he said that this shows the trust that people have reposed on our pharmacists.

Bemoaning that no association or organisation comes forward for conferment of awards to pharmacists, Prof. Krishnegowda said that it is laudable that Rotary has chosen the Pharma sector for awards. Recalling the services rendered by pharmacist late M. Niranjanmurthy, he complimented the service initiatives taken  up by pharmacists following the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic last year.

A.B. Mahesh of Vishwanath Medicals, P.K. Rajendraprasad of Vasavi Medicals, Swapna Vishu of Swapna Medicals, Mirza Ateeq-ur-Rahman of New Pharma Chemists and Druggists and K.M. Rajesh of Eshwar Medicals were conferred Rotary Pharmacist and Chemist award-2021 on the occasion.

Assistant Drugs Controller S. Nagaraj, Rotary Mysore office-bearers A.P. Virupaksha, L. Channabasavaraju, Chandrashekar, Rajashekara-murthy, Ramprasad, M.K. Nanjaiah, M. Raju, Anand, Shivakumar, former Corporator K.V. Mallesh, Mysuru City and District Retail Pharmacists Association General Secretary C.K.  Arun, Devaraj, noted theatre personality Rajashekar Kadamba, Umesh, Mansoor Ahmed Khan and others were present.