Drive against unscrupulous business

By Shawkat Haider On e-mail
12 October 2005, 18:00 PM
The recent drive to check adulteration of food has been hailed by all and sundry. Such practices are tantamount to mass murder and should be dealt with new, stricter laws and tough enforcement. More importantly, similar drives should be in place for other products and businesses which have a direct impact on public health.

For example, pharmaceutical products, other healthcare products and cosmetics should also come within the purview of the drive. We don't know the extent of hazardous chemicals or carcinogens used in these so-called healthcare products and toiletries manufactured locally, and particularly in medicines where accurate dosage and shelf life are very critical for effective action.

There should be adequate and proper monitoring of manufacturing standards by recognised and independent groups of experts from time to time. Such surveillance would definitely help reveal the unethical practices, who knows, even among the most reputed companies.