This young British couple James (27) and Alexandra (24) chose India for committing a suicide. Not because they were charmed by the Indian heritage and culture or were awed by Hinduism in anyway. But for the simple reason that committing suicide is easiest in the country. people cooperate if one wants to end his/her life.
The couple bought some sleeping pills, easily available over the counter (OTC) at any chemist and druggist shop. They popped the pills and topped them with some cough syrup, which too can be bought anywhere without any prescription.
Before executing their plan to end their lives, the couple also tweeted "One prescription in India (after you have told the doctor what to write), will take you far".
The event has raised serious questions over our whole system of medical and health.
Very few chemists in India ask for the prescription and show the strictness to not favour the buyer with medicines which are not allowed to be sold over the counter. Moreover, acquiring a prescription is also not a big deal. A small tip and there are so many doctors who are ready to earn an extra fast buck, who will oblige one.
On top of these (chemists and doctors), there is a whole system of medical and health which has laws for all sorts of cross and checks, which unfortunately never gets implemented.
It's rare to see any chemists being blacklisted and sent to jail for selling drugs which should legally be sold only if they are prescribed. It's even rarer to see any doctor being locked behind bars for writing a prescription, which, he/she also knows, is not required for the patient.
Same is the case with advertising in relation to medical and health products. Every day, there are advertisements of medicines for gaining height, gaining weight, losing weight, increasing hair growth, lightening skin tone, enlarging breasts, enhancing sexual pleasures etc etc.
The companies selling these 'miraculous treatments' are blatantly flouting the Indian law which says a company cannot assure such results which have not been proved scientifically.
But then,who cares!
Law in India is only for books and not for execution - be it for drugs or for any other crime, it may be murder.
The couple bought some sleeping pills, easily available over the counter (OTC) at any chemist and druggist shop. They popped the pills and topped them with some cough syrup, which too can be bought anywhere without any prescription.
Before executing their plan to end their lives, the couple also tweeted "One prescription in India (after you have told the doctor what to write), will take you far".
The event has raised serious questions over our whole system of medical and health.
Very few chemists in India ask for the prescription and show the strictness to not favour the buyer with medicines which are not allowed to be sold over the counter. Moreover, acquiring a prescription is also not a big deal. A small tip and there are so many doctors who are ready to earn an extra fast buck, who will oblige one.
On top of these (chemists and doctors), there is a whole system of medical and health which has laws for all sorts of cross and checks, which unfortunately never gets implemented.
It's rare to see any chemists being blacklisted and sent to jail for selling drugs which should legally be sold only if they are prescribed. It's even rarer to see any doctor being locked behind bars for writing a prescription, which, he/she also knows, is not required for the patient.
Same is the case with advertising in relation to medical and health products. Every day, there are advertisements of medicines for gaining height, gaining weight, losing weight, increasing hair growth, lightening skin tone, enlarging breasts, enhancing sexual pleasures etc etc.
The companies selling these 'miraculous treatments' are blatantly flouting the Indian law which says a company cannot assure such results which have not been proved scientifically.
But then,who cares!
Law in India is only for books and not for execution - be it for drugs or for any other crime, it may be murder.
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