The American Premier League (APL) will go ahead with its inaugural Twenty20 tournament from Oct 6, 2009, even if the ICC refuses to sanction the league, the organisers confirmed on Tuesday.
In an exclusive interview with Dawn, Jay Mir, president of the organising American Sports & Entertainment Group Inc (ASEG), remained optimistic about the ongoing negotiations with the USA Cricket Association (USACA) while confirming that the New York City tournament is ‘good to go’.
“As we move forward with our negotiations, it is worth mentioning that we haven’t received a rebel status as yet,” Mir said. “The ICC has advised players and officials to stay away from the league until a concrete decision has been made and I think it is in the best interest of USACA, APL and for the development of the game in USA that this league gets sanctioned,” he added. “However, since we are not depending on the official go-ahead, the first tournament will be held even if the USACA refuses to approve it.”
The maiden APL Twenty20 tournament has attracted big name players from all over the world, especially the ICL recruits deprived of cricket following the league’s season cancellation due to the economic gloom. According to Mir, APL has succeeded in signing Inzamam-ul-Haq, Imran Nazir, Imran Farhat, Abdul Razzak, Taufeeq Umar and Shabbir Ahmed with Moin Khan acting as Premium Pakistan’s coach. It will be one of the six teams competing in the league.
“We have succeeded in recruiting Richard Hadlee as an executive consultant while also signing Graeme Hick, Nathan Astle and Adam Hollioake,” disclosed Mir.
When asked if the APL — as it seems to be following in the footsteps of ICL — could also be labelled a rebel league, Mir remained hopeful of the USACA’s decision and the fact that both organisations shared similar vision. “The reason behind ICL’s failure [due to financial reasons] was because they didn’t have backing from the national board [the BCCI]. I’m sure the decision-makers at the USACA are smart enough to understand that we also want to promote cricket in the United States and judging by the response we’ve had already, I can only imagine how successful we can be in achieving that goal.”
The tournament, due to played on a round-robin basis on the Staten Island Yankees baseball ground, will feature six teams vying for a semi-final berth that will be followed by best-of-three finals. Apart from Premium Pakistan, the tournament will comprise of an Indian, West Indian, American, Bangladeshi and a World XI.
According to Mir, the long term plan is to stage the tournament twice a year with locations varying across the continent. “Since our aim is to promote cricket, we have planned to stage the tournament across the continent from next year. It is a big event — an unprecedented event in fact in the history of the nation — and we want to ensure we launch is properly.”
The organisers’ keenness to get on with the league can be judged by the fact that, according to Mir, most of the sponsors have been confirmed, all participating teams have been finalised and that ASEG has received bids for television rights from multiple companies.
“The response has been phenomenal. We’ve had people enquiring about tickets already and offering their services to the league. There exists great excitement in the general public with regards to the tournament and what we’ve achieved in one month is just amazing,” said Mir. “We want to kickstart the game of cricket in the region and for that reason, I hope we get the USACA’s approval as players of this calibre do not deserve to be tagged as rebels.”
As the tournament details are released, a feeling of uneasiness has been felt around the cricketing world. Apart from the ICC cautions released last week, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) expressed its disappointment over Hadlees’ affiliation with APL. “’It’s regrettable that Hadlee has aligned with an unsanctioned and unofficial circuit,” Justin Vaughan, NZC chief executive, had told the Sunday Star-Times.
But Mir said the league will only promote the game in the US region through Hadlee’s services. “We will be promoting the game in the country with Hadlee,” Mir said. “Although cricket is being played across the continent, APL is serving as a door for the game to enter the US properly.”
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in DAWN newspaper Apr 29, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Curse of the counterfeit
It is estimated that business in counterfeits will be worth £75 billion this year. The ‘Combating counterfeiting’ conference held by the RPSGB highlighted major issues and techniques affecting the industry as well as procedures undertaken to fight against it...
Counterfeit medicines have become a growing global problem. According to the World Health Organisation, sales of counterfeit medicine range from approximately one per cent of sales in developed countries to 10 to 30 per cent in developing countries.
In a recent conference held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), industry experts highlighted the intensity of the problem as well as current status of new technologies in order to raise public awareness.
‘The counterfeit drugs are now being made to order and for a range of products instead of a single product,’ Dr John Kerridge, EU regulatory advisor, Eli Lilly & Company, observed at the conference. ‘The trend has gradually moved away from lifestyle drugs a few years ago to life-saving drugs now and that change is of huge concern to everyone.’
Citing examples from raids undertaken frequently, Dr Kerridge emphasised the need for ‘closer look’ as although the ingredients and chemical composition may be far off the mark, the finer details that counterfeiters go through while packaging may make the products hard to identify from the genuine ones.
The same point was illustrated by Dr Tesh Patel, senior director of quality assurance at Astellas Pharma Europe UK, as he displayed striking images comparing genuine and counterfeit packaging. Dr Kerridge also raised the concern surrounding the increase in the number of internet pharmacies that have cropped up in the recent past and although a lot of them carry icons – including VIPPS, RPSGB and Legitscript logos – things may not always be what they seem.
Examples were provided by Jane Nicholson, executive director of the European Industrial Pharmacists Group, of purchases from an online pharmacy that have resulted in deaths. ‘While there exist enforcement problems due to lack of sufficiently trained inspectors and funds for laboratories, we also need to look at legislation governing counterfeit drugs,’ she said while noting that the United Kingdom Medicines Act is now over 40 years old.
Highlighting the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) battle against counterfeiters and counterfeit products, Nimo Ahmed, head of Intelligence, Enforcement Group at the MHRA, discussed how much importance is being placed on packaging. ‘We have examined computers and found that people from the EU and UK have sent sample packs with details and requested them to be made to order.’ The worrying thing according to Ahmed, however, was the amount of active ingredient in the counterfeit product which depended on the amount of money that was offered.
‘Worryingly, we have seen a lot of professionals, wholesalers, pharmacists, people who have operated in the industry for a number of years and know the system and have observed where the gaps are have then tried to penetrate those gaps.’
Counterfeiters, as Ahmed pointed out, have a great understanding of how the supply chain worked and that has made their task easier. Picking on the same point, Dr Patel highlighted a risky assumption that if a package is secured through the supply chain to the pharmacist, it is assumed that the medication is secure.
Quoting Jim Chrisitan, VP Global Corporate Security at Novartis, Dr Patel said: ‘In almost every case, the technology, be it a hologram, tamper-proof labels, embossing, thermo-reactive ink, RFID tags, DNA markers, and the ikes, enables companies to track cardboard, not product. It is not unsual to find genuine product in counterfeit packaging and counterfeit product in genuine packaging.’
Ahmed also reminded the attendees – as well as wholesalers and pharmacists on the whole – of the MHRA’s 24-hour hotline (020 7084 2701 or by emailing counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk) where discrepancies and irregularities can be reported.
According to Ahmed, counterfeit products are mostly manufactured in China and can then be dispatched to anywhere in the world. ‘We have had to recall a lot of products targetting the parallel trade market and hence are implementing strategies that also includes speaking to healthcare professionals, doctors and nurses who deal with medicines regularly.’
With a network mapped across the world, Dr Patel admitted it was a difficult task preventing the trafficking of illegal drugs. ‘If we cannot as yet prevent trafficking of illegal drugs why do we think we can prevent counterfeit medicines? However, we may not be able to prevent it, but we can be prepared for it.’
Preparation via vigilance, mass serialisation, and even an international convention, according to the speakers.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business April 2009
Counterfeit medicines have become a growing global problem. According to the World Health Organisation, sales of counterfeit medicine range from approximately one per cent of sales in developed countries to 10 to 30 per cent in developing countries.
In a recent conference held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), industry experts highlighted the intensity of the problem as well as current status of new technologies in order to raise public awareness.
‘The counterfeit drugs are now being made to order and for a range of products instead of a single product,’ Dr John Kerridge, EU regulatory advisor, Eli Lilly & Company, observed at the conference. ‘The trend has gradually moved away from lifestyle drugs a few years ago to life-saving drugs now and that change is of huge concern to everyone.’
Citing examples from raids undertaken frequently, Dr Kerridge emphasised the need for ‘closer look’ as although the ingredients and chemical composition may be far off the mark, the finer details that counterfeiters go through while packaging may make the products hard to identify from the genuine ones.The same point was illustrated by Dr Tesh Patel, senior director of quality assurance at Astellas Pharma Europe UK, as he displayed striking images comparing genuine and counterfeit packaging. Dr Kerridge also raised the concern surrounding the increase in the number of internet pharmacies that have cropped up in the recent past and although a lot of them carry icons – including VIPPS, RPSGB and Legitscript logos – things may not always be what they seem.
Examples were provided by Jane Nicholson, executive director of the European Industrial Pharmacists Group, of purchases from an online pharmacy that have resulted in deaths. ‘While there exist enforcement problems due to lack of sufficiently trained inspectors and funds for laboratories, we also need to look at legislation governing counterfeit drugs,’ she said while noting that the United Kingdom Medicines Act is now over 40 years old.
Highlighting the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) battle against counterfeiters and counterfeit products, Nimo Ahmed, head of Intelligence, Enforcement Group at the MHRA, discussed how much importance is being placed on packaging. ‘We have examined computers and found that people from the EU and UK have sent sample packs with details and requested them to be made to order.’ The worrying thing according to Ahmed, however, was the amount of active ingredient in the counterfeit product which depended on the amount of money that was offered.
‘Worryingly, we have seen a lot of professionals, wholesalers, pharmacists, people who have operated in the industry for a number of years and know the system and have observed where the gaps are have then tried to penetrate those gaps.’
Counterfeiters, as Ahmed pointed out, have a great understanding of how the supply chain worked and that has made their task easier. Picking on the same point, Dr Patel highlighted a risky assumption that if a package is secured through the supply chain to the pharmacist, it is assumed that the medication is secure.
Quoting Jim Chrisitan, VP Global Corporate Security at Novartis, Dr Patel said: ‘In almost every case, the technology, be it a hologram, tamper-proof labels, embossing, thermo-reactive ink, RFID tags, DNA markers, and the ikes, enables companies to track cardboard, not product. It is not unsual to find genuine product in counterfeit packaging and counterfeit product in genuine packaging.’
Ahmed also reminded the attendees – as well as wholesalers and pharmacists on the whole – of the MHRA’s 24-hour hotline (020 7084 2701 or by emailing counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk) where discrepancies and irregularities can be reported.
According to Ahmed, counterfeit products are mostly manufactured in China and can then be dispatched to anywhere in the world. ‘We have had to recall a lot of products targetting the parallel trade market and hence are implementing strategies that also includes speaking to healthcare professionals, doctors and nurses who deal with medicines regularly.’
With a network mapped across the world, Dr Patel admitted it was a difficult task preventing the trafficking of illegal drugs. ‘If we cannot as yet prevent trafficking of illegal drugs why do we think we can prevent counterfeit medicines? However, we may not be able to prevent it, but we can be prepared for it.’
Preparation via vigilance, mass serialisation, and even an international convention, according to the speakers.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business April 2009
Plan young, aim high
Kishor Ragha’s successful journey as a pharmacist started at a young age. From the days of playing around with chemistry sets to leaving his native country to obtain pharmacy qualifications, Ragha has remained committed and confident. Winner of the Pharmacy Business Clinical Excellence Award 2008, Ragha shares his success trail with Faras Ghani...In the life of many pharmacists across the country, these are the days of regret. Long working hours, low pay, pressure to provide increasing number of services, and stagnant OTC sales. As a result, many pharmacists are reported to be fed up of the profession, planning a career switch and a rethinking.
With Kishor Ragha, who left his native Zambia in order to pursue a pharmacy career, life is smooth at his Vantage Pharmacy. Growing business, lust for knowledge, striving for improvement, complementing accolades, and a prevailing sense of satisfaction. Developing an interest in pharmacy from a very young age, Ragha’s commitment to what he wanted to achieve has been a driving force behind his success and his achievements.
‘Pharmacy is something I’ve been deeply interested in from a young age,’ he said. ‘Even as a child I had my own experimental sets at home that I would spend time with. Therefore, it is a gradual progression.
‘Although my family wanted me to become a doctor, more so due to the status symbol than anything else, my interest in chemistry and pharmacy was stronger than becoming a doc. And for precisely that reason, I left Zambia to come study in the UK as the University of Zambia did not cater for a pharmacy degree. That is how strong my commitment was towards pharmacy.’
Although Ragha did go back to Zambia after his qualifications to start a pharmaceutical industry, conditions proved adverse for the plans and prompted a swift return to the UK. An interest in industrial pharmacy was what gave birth to those plans initially, but as he realised his zest lies in the business side of things, it was not long before he realised what he was cut out for.
‘It was the clinical side of pharmacy that interested me in the beginning but obviously as you get older and once you have your qualifications, the focus changes slightly. It still remains towards pharmacy but you then narrow down your options.
‘In my case, I narrowed it down to community pharmacy. Following the abandonment of my industry plans in Zambia, I realised I wanted to work in community pharmacy the most and that is the reason I came back.’
It was due to Ragha’s desire to be his own boss that he decided to go into community pharmacy. Signing up with a franchise scheme that AAH had in the early 90s, Ragha developed this interest further and opted to buy out the business as the franchise contract came to an end.
‘Looking after a business is what I’m interested in besides the pharmacist aspect of it. I’d always wanted to be my own boss. I did get offered fantastic salary at the places I worked at in the past but the fact that they were able to offer me that made me think that I’m capable to making much more by just having my own business.
‘I did locum work in central London and worked as a manager for two years following my return from Zambia. While I was still working as a locum, the AAH offer came up and I became one of the few lucky ones to get on board. And when, at the end, I had the option to buy out the business, I didn’t think twice. It was an excellent decision I made and I’ve never looked back since.’
Apart from being the pharmacy owner and the pharmacist at Vantage, Ragha is also a qualified Independent Prescriber and sits on various local committees as well as the LPC. A respect individual among customers and local surgeries, Ragha is contacted by nurses, GPs and patients alike for advice and guidance.
‘I do help out patients in my batch but it does not stop there. The GPs and the nurses would phone me up for advice if they are not 100 per cent sure on something and need a a second opinion. We have that rapport with local GPs that we are quite proud of and we respect each other for that.’
Ragha won the Pharmacy Business Clinical Excellence Award 2008 for his specialisation in the treatment of diabetes. He undertakes the full range of tests for diabetes and also advises patients on how to improve their lifestyle. But how did the interest in diabetes develop?
‘Around five years ago, we had a diabetes improvement scheme is Hillingdon where we undertook basic tests and advised patients over a period of six months. It was so successful that we, as a group, won a care award for that. Working with diabetes then was what got me interested.
‘A Warwick diabetes course came along after that which I enrolled in and passed. So, the more I learnt about diabetes the more fascinated I became and the more I wanted to know. As a result, I wanted to do more than that just prescribing and wanted to look after the patients myself. So I went to King’s College and did my course in supplementary prescribing. Following that, I went further and became and IP the following year so now all the decisions will be mine.
‘I was happy, prepared and confident to make changes to the medication and it was this confidence that drove me.’
Despite having his hands full and complaining that ‘there are not enough hours in the day’ to do what he wants to, Ragha has built up a successful business and he attributes a lot of success to the skills of his staff and the training they underwent.
‘You can’t keep an eye on everything that is happening in the pharmacy. I have dispensing duties as well. Therefore, it is essential that you give staff the ownership of particular sections and product range. Delegation is the key to success but for that to work effectively, adequate training must be provided beforehand and constant review must be undertaken to ensure a common goal is being aimed at.
‘We have regular discussions with staff and at times, even I’m not aware of products they order since I have given them full authority following the training. I followed a similar path en route success and I’m all for giving them ownership and letting them little entrepreneurs.’
Apart from providing diabetes services, Vantage Pharmacy also provides chlamydia screening and smoking cessation services as well as offering the morning-after pill together with the required consultation.
Ragha’s workload is ever increasing. ‘I’m busy all the time, the script numbers have shot through the roof and on average we do 8,000 scripts per month. I can’t possible do all this on my own and that’s where backup and well-trained staff come handy.
‘Without backup, you can’t do all these services and it’s dispensing or the paperwork or services. They all take up a lot of time and the only way you can do this is if you have very good staff.
‘I’m quite happy doing the services since I know other parts of the business are in capable hands. I enjoy dispensing, especially when I’m giving out the medication and as the verbal interaction takes place.’
Despite the workload, Ragha’s interest in diabetes and diabetic patients is on the rise and he is coming up with ideas and advice to help patients all the time.
‘The main aim is to change the patient’s attitude towards diabetes. I change the mindset of that person from day one by giving him/her the ownership of the problem. Put restrictions on and list things they should not be doing. Give them all the facts as opposed to just the medication and I find that this works better.’
Although Ragha has his hands full with dispensing, training and offering services, he still has time to ponder over the future of pharmacy. He envisages it to change no doubt but warns of repercussions with the government’s desire to see more and more services being undertaken by pharmacists that increase the workload. ‘We just don’t have the time. For example, I’m giving advice on MURs verbally and not claiming for it as I do not do the paperwork due to not having much time.
‘With Category M and all that, it has become a political issue that will take time to settle down. It will be tough and you can’t reply on income from dispensing alone. The sooner the colleagues of mine realise that the better.’
Doing so much can sometimes affect the quality offered, something that Ragha was quite wary of. However, the Award provided the confidence that he needed to strive towards improvement in patient care.
‘I never realised my work was of a reasonably high standard until another pharmacist asked me to apply for the award. It was a fantastic evening and, as every other award-winner, I never expected to win it.
‘However, it was really funny because everyone told me, after I had won, that they expected that to happen sooner than later. It is nice to be appreciated and is satisfying when your work gets recognised but I never undertook all the additional work for the sake of an award.
‘I just love helping patients.’
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business April 2009
The PSNC Conference
The annual LPC conference brought up topics of discussion ranging from prescription pricing to Category M as well as commissioning issues.
The 2009 LPC Conference, attended by over 280 delegates, discussed issues ranging from PCT issues, PNAs, funding, and supply issues, to CIP and reimbursement. Chris Hodges, Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee’s (PSNC) chairman, opened the conference by reminding attendees of the previous year’s conference where the White Paper was mentioned.
Detailing PSNC’s priorities, Hodges detailed a group of planned activities in order to achieve the goal to ‘bring the new community pharmacy service envisaged in the pharmacy White Paper to fruition, securing fair, reliable and sustainable funding for contractors that incentives and rewards provision of new NHS services.’
The goals consist of PSNC:
• Supporting development and adoption of pharmacy services
• Agreeing relevant and manageable quality frameworks for provision of
NHS services
• Ensuring full and fair costing and funding for pharmacy services
• Agreeing effective frameworks for local service commissioning
• Supporting local contracting and provision of services from pharmacy
Lauding community pharmacy’s contribution to public health, Hodges termed it as a benefit not only for the public but the NHS as well. ‘Community pharmacy can help manage the big public health challenges of modern times – obesity, smoking, alcohol, sexual health. We can help manage long-term conditions – diabetes, asthma and heart disease. We can deal with minor ailments, and help people stay out of A&E or the GP’s surgery when they don’t need to go there. We can help deliver the government’s targets for vascular risk assessment of everyone in this country aged between 44 and 75. And we can help the healthy stay healthy.’
Hodges also spoke of how MURs have demonstrated the power of community pharmacy to extend its role in patient care. ‘In the last financial year, 73 per cent of all pharmacies in England provided MURs. In the financial year to the end of March 2009, we are on target for 1.3 million MURs.
‘The next piece is how to ensure that MURs are properly integrated into primary care services and how to ensure consistent quality, targeting of the service, and that the value of the MUR to patients is understood.’
Sue Sharpe, PSNC chief executive, highlighted some of the core issues affecting community pharmacy. ‘Most of you have stories to tell of poor commissioning or administration by PCTs,’ she said. ‘Sometimes the PCT responds with claims of poor delivery by pharmacies. We all need to move on from this – understand what has gone wrong and make progress for the future.
It is vital to get over negativity wherever it lies. Whilst the nationally agreed services and funding will continue to be the foundation for the community pharmacy business, local services contracting will become increasingly important as a source of revenue. Local contractors and LPCs will have greater responsibility than before for identifying and negotiating their role as service providers.
With an increasing focus on local service commissioning we need to ensure that the workload burden for independent pharmacy contractors remains manageable. It is already very heavy, and the independent today does not have the time and capacity to deal with large and complex documentation. We are committed to support independent contractors, all contractors. Manageability is vital.’
Following the conference, over 400 guests attended the annual PSNC annual where members of both houses of Parliament, PCT and SHA managers, LPCs and other health organisations were amongst the guests. Phil Hope, pharmacy minister, gave enthusiastic support for community pharmacy.
‘We do see and we do value your hard work, the way you’re driving the agenda forward,’ Hope said. ‘In Corby, we will be developing a new public strategy to tackle obesity and a strategy to reduce cardio-vascular disease and I have no doubt that pharmacies will play a key role.’
Hope also stressed the importance of MURs in community pharmacy and lauded the efforts that have been undertaken. ‘MURs are making their mark,’ he said. ‘But its not just about how many are being undertaken. The outcomes are what really matter and recent research shows that they are reducing drug therapy problems by more than 60 per cent.’
Quoting a Portsmouth University study, Hopes said that 87 per cent of asthma patients who had received an MUR felt more knowledgeable about their condition and over 90 per cent felt more knowledgeable about their medication. MUR, according to the minister, are cutting hospital admissions and emergency admissions due to asthma have dropped by over 50 per cent according to research on the Isle of Wight with the associated deaths have fallen by a remarkable 75 per cent.
Sharpe ended her speech by stating that despite that grim economic conditions, funding for contractors has improved. ‘Community pharmacies are doing a great job for their patients, and between the LPC and PSNC, we have great opportunities to grasp as we implement the White Paper.’
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business April 2009.
The 2009 LPC Conference, attended by over 280 delegates, discussed issues ranging from PCT issues, PNAs, funding, and supply issues, to CIP and reimbursement. Chris Hodges, Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee’s (PSNC) chairman, opened the conference by reminding attendees of the previous year’s conference where the White Paper was mentioned.
Detailing PSNC’s priorities, Hodges detailed a group of planned activities in order to achieve the goal to ‘bring the new community pharmacy service envisaged in the pharmacy White Paper to fruition, securing fair, reliable and sustainable funding for contractors that incentives and rewards provision of new NHS services.’
The goals consist of PSNC:
• Supporting development and adoption of pharmacy services
• Agreeing relevant and manageable quality frameworks for provision of
NHS services
• Ensuring full and fair costing and funding for pharmacy services
• Agreeing effective frameworks for local service commissioning
• Supporting local contracting and provision of services from pharmacy
Lauding community pharmacy’s contribution to public health, Hodges termed it as a benefit not only for the public but the NHS as well. ‘Community pharmacy can help manage the big public health challenges of modern times – obesity, smoking, alcohol, sexual health. We can help manage long-term conditions – diabetes, asthma and heart disease. We can deal with minor ailments, and help people stay out of A&E or the GP’s surgery when they don’t need to go there. We can help deliver the government’s targets for vascular risk assessment of everyone in this country aged between 44 and 75. And we can help the healthy stay healthy.’
Hodges also spoke of how MURs have demonstrated the power of community pharmacy to extend its role in patient care. ‘In the last financial year, 73 per cent of all pharmacies in England provided MURs. In the financial year to the end of March 2009, we are on target for 1.3 million MURs.
‘The next piece is how to ensure that MURs are properly integrated into primary care services and how to ensure consistent quality, targeting of the service, and that the value of the MUR to patients is understood.’
Sue Sharpe, PSNC chief executive, highlighted some of the core issues affecting community pharmacy. ‘Most of you have stories to tell of poor commissioning or administration by PCTs,’ she said. ‘Sometimes the PCT responds with claims of poor delivery by pharmacies. We all need to move on from this – understand what has gone wrong and make progress for the future.
It is vital to get over negativity wherever it lies. Whilst the nationally agreed services and funding will continue to be the foundation for the community pharmacy business, local services contracting will become increasingly important as a source of revenue. Local contractors and LPCs will have greater responsibility than before for identifying and negotiating their role as service providers.
With an increasing focus on local service commissioning we need to ensure that the workload burden for independent pharmacy contractors remains manageable. It is already very heavy, and the independent today does not have the time and capacity to deal with large and complex documentation. We are committed to support independent contractors, all contractors. Manageability is vital.’
Following the conference, over 400 guests attended the annual PSNC annual where members of both houses of Parliament, PCT and SHA managers, LPCs and other health organisations were amongst the guests. Phil Hope, pharmacy minister, gave enthusiastic support for community pharmacy.
‘We do see and we do value your hard work, the way you’re driving the agenda forward,’ Hope said. ‘In Corby, we will be developing a new public strategy to tackle obesity and a strategy to reduce cardio-vascular disease and I have no doubt that pharmacies will play a key role.’
Hope also stressed the importance of MURs in community pharmacy and lauded the efforts that have been undertaken. ‘MURs are making their mark,’ he said. ‘But its not just about how many are being undertaken. The outcomes are what really matter and recent research shows that they are reducing drug therapy problems by more than 60 per cent.’
Quoting a Portsmouth University study, Hopes said that 87 per cent of asthma patients who had received an MUR felt more knowledgeable about their condition and over 90 per cent felt more knowledgeable about their medication. MUR, according to the minister, are cutting hospital admissions and emergency admissions due to asthma have dropped by over 50 per cent according to research on the Isle of Wight with the associated deaths have fallen by a remarkable 75 per cent.
Sharpe ended her speech by stating that despite that grim economic conditions, funding for contractors has improved. ‘Community pharmacies are doing a great job for their patients, and between the LPC and PSNC, we have great opportunities to grasp as we implement the White Paper.’
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business April 2009.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Ahmed Shehzad - Young, ambitious, lucky
Terribly lucky are the ones who have their dreams come true as teenagers. You stroll out amid deafening support, making your debut as a youthful 17-year-old ready to show your class against the mighty Australians. The track is flat and you think you're on top of the world.Add in ballyhoo that this very day the master, the great Sachin Tendulkar, was unveiled to the world and you plan a fame-filled journey ahead of you.
But Ahmed Shehzad found himself dumped by his senior partner halfway down the pitch – ironically his captain as he made his first-class debut just over two years ago – floored further by a recent change in the ICC laws. At that point, the Dubai cricket stadium did not seem big enough to contain the reek of disappointment, and realisation that cricket indeed is a cruel, cruel game.
Little would Shehzad have known about the cruelty of the game as he made an impactful entry to first-class cricket, aged only 16. Three 40-plus scores in his first two matches, and the world was his oyster, that too despite his mediocre performances against Indian U-19s in a home Test series.
Following this brief yet successful cameo at first-class level, Shehzad was part of the touring Pakistan U-19 side that played two Youth Test matches against England. Following an innings-and-58-run humiliation in the opening Test, in which Shehzad could only muster a nought and 40, it was time he truly announced his potential. Chasing a tricky 342 in the final innings of the tour, Pakistan needed an anchor. They not only found that, but also a match-winning innings from Shehzad who stroked a majestic 167, off only 260 deliveries, thus ensuring a series-levelling win.
Not looking back since, Shehzad smashed another century against Bangladesh U-19 later that year, but his youth and academy commitments resulted in him being deprived of first-class experience. But as the love-affair rekindled, he ensured authority: scoring almost 600 runs in the latest edition of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy for Habib Bank Limited.
Already gone through his share of scandals – a ritual that most Pakistani cricketers have followed at will – Shehzad was determined to let the talent count. Told by the coach of a visiting team that he will 'definitely represent Pakistan no matter how poor his performance was at that point', Shehzad – heavily disappointed by his poor show, remained adamant that the heroics against England would be the turning point of his career.
Not content with the low tier of international cricket, Shehzad soon had his chance against the menacing combination of Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini and Andre Nel in a tour match as South Africa visited Pakistan. Although he could only score 35 (off 44 balls), it was the six hits to the boundary – four along the ground and two over the rope – that gave him the confidence to climb up the ladder of success.
“It was a great experience,' Shehzad told Cricdb. “It was hard to play against bowlers the calibre of Pollock and Ntini but as I stroked a few boundaries, I felt the confidence inside me and the assurance that I can play at the top level.”
Taking up to international opposition, conforming to his knack of scoring centuries at will, Shehzad eased to 146 against the Sri Lankans in another tour match prior to the ODI series at home. The bowling attack comprised Chaminda Vaas, Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof.
Terming Imran Khan and Ricky Ponting as his all-time favourites due to their fighter instincts, Shehzad assures that he has not faced any problems ever since he started playing cricket. However, even that fighting instinct that he seems to have possessed from his idols was not enough to take Pakistan U-19 to a third successive World Cup crown. A disappointing individual show overall – bar the eight wickets he captured in the tournament – was somewhat rectified in the semi-final mauling against South Africa with an aggressive 60.
Failing to live up to the pre-tournament favourites tag, however, is something Shehzad will rue for eternity. And the fact that his father was not able to witness him in Pakistan's colours as he passed away when Shehzad was only eight months old. Shahzad devotes his career-building to his brother Khurrum Shahzad – older brother - who encouraged Shahzad in every part of his life, including cricket
While poor judgement on his senior partner's part may have cost Shehzad an ideal start to his international career, he is sure to get another chance. However, a country that is more cruel than the game itself and one that has banished success to the wilderness, Shehzad will need to ensure he grasps any given opportunity with both hands. Both for his sake and for the nation still mourning the loss of Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail as the last prolific set of openers ever seen in green.
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published on Cricdb Apr 25, 2009.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The repeat success
Taking repeat prescription business to a higher level, Paul Howie and David Roberts launched an online business as partners – while working in different pharmacies – to increase sales. The duo tells Faras Ghani how myrepeats.com came about and not only won patients’ hearts but also the Pharmacy Business Innovation Award 2008...
Winning an award is no mean feat, be it at something you have special talent for or something you love doing, or even if it’s an office related task. Being the best requires clear vision, dedication – with time and effort – as well as an interest in the field.
When Paul Howie of Lime Tree Pharmacy and David Roberts of Shelley Pharmacy (both in Worthing and competitors, in effect) joined hands to launch a repeat prescription website, neither of them imagined winning the Pharmacy Business Innovation Award 2008. Not because they did not have a clear vision, but due to the fact that neither had a deep interest in the technology field or even enough time to dedicate to the venture due to their respective positions in their pharmacies.
‘I don’t have a particular interest in IT or the technology world,’ Howie said. ‘However, there are a lot of online pharmacies in existence now so it’s a tried and test path and pharmacies have gone that way anyway.
‘With the advent of the internet, a lot of people, including myself, are shopping online and use the internet not just at home but at work as well. So it only seemed logical and we figured they would want to use the internet to order their repeat prescriptions online rather than driving to the
pharmacy, putting their requests in and following that up with a visit to the pharmacy.’
The stigma, as Roberts put it, of being a pharmacy inside a surgery often deterred customers from walking in off the street and shopping there. ‘They [the customers] used to think that if they are not patients at that particular surgery, they could not use the pharmacy,’ Roberts said. ‘So the idea was also born out of how can we could overcome that stigma and we decided to go with the website. People can order prescriptions and made it available to everyone in Worthing [initially] so people realise they can use the pharmacy without being a patient at the surgery.’
The joint venture – myrepeats.com – came about on the back of huge repeat prescriptions concerns by both pharmacies as it formed almost 90 per cent of their business. Although the pharmacies had worked closely on a number of issues, a joint venture was not thought of prior to the website.
‘We were both [pharmacies] concerned with protecting our business so we thought we’d split the risk,’ Howie said. ‘So in one of the review meetings at the surgery, we discussed the idea – to tie our patients in and protect our businesses – and it seemed a good opportunity to cover both bases.’
After much planning and ponder, myrepeats.com was launched in August 2007, initially catering to Worthing only, according to Roberts. However, the success that followed owed much to a ‘little bit of naivety’.
‘We arranged for the web company [that had designed the website] to arrange a press release to send to the local paper and the local radio station in order to get some promotion,’ Roberts said. ‘What we didn’t realise was that the press release goes far and wide and it was picked up by a couple of national publications and before we knew it, we had questions coming right, left and centre enquiring about the venture.’
The website initially underwent a trial phase whereby the robustness and usability of the myrepeats.com was tested by a select few. ‘Following the initial launch, ten pharmacies contacted us – terming it a great idea – and expressing their desire to join us,’ Howie said. ‘We took that up and produced cards for the Pharmacy Show in October 2007. Following that, around fifty pharmacies contacted us and we realised we had to redesign the site to cater for all that.’
Following the relaunch in April 2008, myrepeats has grown to 321 on last count — from just the two when the idea was born.
The day-to-day running of the website is quite simple. The server run by a web design company. Each individual pharmacy part of myrepeats.com has its own virtual back-office and once they are accepted, they get their unique username and password. The pharmacy can then list the surgeries they cater to and the post codes they cover as well as delivery options – majority of the pharmacies offer delivery, even to a work address. There also exists a master administration site, with Roberts taking that up as a part-time job in the evenings. Any order that a patient makes is stored in a separate system that the pharmacy it has been ordered from.
So does the extra workload affect their daily routine?
It has not seemed to affect Roberts that much.‘I don’t work in the pharmacy five days a week so I can spend my free time working the site. Once a pharmacy is registered, I don’t need to do get involved a lot anyway and it’s not a lot of additional work except the random username or password SOS call.’
Howie, however, needs to spend a lot of evenings working on the site. ‘We’ve also had to take on a morning driver as the deliveries have gone up quite significantly [around ten per cent of their total business is done online]. We only had an afternoon delivery before but now we have a van on the road all day [that has been branded with the website name to act as a promotion for the website while on the road].’
While the pharmacies have not felt the need for additional storage space, they may look to employ an administrator for the site. ‘We are looking to employ a part-time administrator who can then provide backup and support to the registered pharmacies. I think it’s essential we provide maintenance and maybe call up the pharmacies and check if everything is ok.’
According to Howie, their online business is growing by ten to 15 per cent each month. ‘A lot of the increase is via our existing customers who we have encouraged to use the site. It not only increases the sales but also protects our business. It also helps us spread as previously around 95 per cent of our business was from just one surgery. Now we cater for every surgery in town. Before we were
doing ten items a month and now we are doing 50 to 100 items in some surgeries.
‘It is also down to increased marketing in the form of the branded van as well as word of mouth and the Pharmacy Show success. We put in a lot of time and effort to make it look an attractive proposition for community pharmacies.’
So how are the two pharmacies benefiting from the venture?
‘Well, currently there is a £100 plus VAT sign-up charge for pharmacies,’ Roberts said. ‘Originally we thought of charging ten pence an item sold via the website but along came Category M and that idea had to be abandoned. We are now trying to generate revenue through advertising and have limited adverts currently on the site.’
Howie hopes to increase advertising spend on the website in the near future. ‘There are adverts on the pharmacists-only area right now and we are hoping someday somebody will want to advertise some OTC prods on the patients page.’
Once the traffic increases on the site, Roberts has plans to get a lot of health information organisations involved and start provide complementing information to visitors besides the option to order repeat prescription while not losing focus of the main objectives and what the site was originally designed for.
While looking for improvements in the design and usability and different modes to improve it, Howie hopes that a lot of independent pharmacists reap rewards and thus help protect business in the future.
‘We would obviously like to increase our current user-base. When EPS is rolled in reliably and it goes live, all the big multiples are going to a big hub sort of dispensaries. In effect, prescriptions can go electronically to any big robot anywhere in the country and patients will be able to order by phone. Our worry is that we will lose a lot of prescriptions that way and I hope other pharmacies will see the threat and sign up with us.
‘If a lot of us get involved then it will not only protect the business but will also create a strong brand in itself that people will know of and trust. That will also help in protecting what happens in the future.’
For someone who did not have a huge interest in pharmacy at a young age, winning the award was a huge achievement for Howie. ‘I didnt have a big interest in going into pharmacy even thought I was doing science-related subjects in school. I didn’t fancy doing medicine but reading around those subjects, pharmacy seemed quite a broad spectrum and covered the subjects I was interested in and there seemed to be a lot of employment opportunities at the end of it.
‘Winning the award was just fantastic, more so because the project we won the award for was done in our spare time. It was great to get the recognition and appreciation as well as feedback.we received. And meeting people that evening, it got us huge publicity.
Regular praise and appreciation also comes from customers in both pharmacies upon noticing the award. And although the future seems uncertain for Howie and Roberts – one looking at a different profession and the other being moved to a business he is oblivious about – the award-winning creation has given a solid platform and one that is destined to win over more community pharmacies as well as an increased customer-base.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business March 2009
Winning an award is no mean feat, be it at something you have special talent for or something you love doing, or even if it’s an office related task. Being the best requires clear vision, dedication – with time and effort – as well as an interest in the field.
When Paul Howie of Lime Tree Pharmacy and David Roberts of Shelley Pharmacy (both in Worthing and competitors, in effect) joined hands to launch a repeat prescription website, neither of them imagined winning the Pharmacy Business Innovation Award 2008. Not because they did not have a clear vision, but due to the fact that neither had a deep interest in the technology field or even enough time to dedicate to the venture due to their respective positions in their pharmacies.
‘I don’t have a particular interest in IT or the technology world,’ Howie said. ‘However, there are a lot of online pharmacies in existence now so it’s a tried and test path and pharmacies have gone that way anyway.
‘With the advent of the internet, a lot of people, including myself, are shopping online and use the internet not just at home but at work as well. So it only seemed logical and we figured they would want to use the internet to order their repeat prescriptions online rather than driving to the
pharmacy, putting their requests in and following that up with a visit to the pharmacy.’The stigma, as Roberts put it, of being a pharmacy inside a surgery often deterred customers from walking in off the street and shopping there. ‘They [the customers] used to think that if they are not patients at that particular surgery, they could not use the pharmacy,’ Roberts said. ‘So the idea was also born out of how can we could overcome that stigma and we decided to go with the website. People can order prescriptions and made it available to everyone in Worthing [initially] so people realise they can use the pharmacy without being a patient at the surgery.’
The joint venture – myrepeats.com – came about on the back of huge repeat prescriptions concerns by both pharmacies as it formed almost 90 per cent of their business. Although the pharmacies had worked closely on a number of issues, a joint venture was not thought of prior to the website.
‘We were both [pharmacies] concerned with protecting our business so we thought we’d split the risk,’ Howie said. ‘So in one of the review meetings at the surgery, we discussed the idea – to tie our patients in and protect our businesses – and it seemed a good opportunity to cover both bases.’
After much planning and ponder, myrepeats.com was launched in August 2007, initially catering to Worthing only, according to Roberts. However, the success that followed owed much to a ‘little bit of naivety’.
‘We arranged for the web company [that had designed the website] to arrange a press release to send to the local paper and the local radio station in order to get some promotion,’ Roberts said. ‘What we didn’t realise was that the press release goes far and wide and it was picked up by a couple of national publications and before we knew it, we had questions coming right, left and centre enquiring about the venture.’
The website initially underwent a trial phase whereby the robustness and usability of the myrepeats.com was tested by a select few. ‘Following the initial launch, ten pharmacies contacted us – terming it a great idea – and expressing their desire to join us,’ Howie said. ‘We took that up and produced cards for the Pharmacy Show in October 2007. Following that, around fifty pharmacies contacted us and we realised we had to redesign the site to cater for all that.’
Following the relaunch in April 2008, myrepeats has grown to 321 on last count — from just the two when the idea was born.
The day-to-day running of the website is quite simple. The server run by a web design company. Each individual pharmacy part of myrepeats.com has its own virtual back-office and once they are accepted, they get their unique username and password. The pharmacy can then list the surgeries they cater to and the post codes they cover as well as delivery options – majority of the pharmacies offer delivery, even to a work address. There also exists a master administration site, with Roberts taking that up as a part-time job in the evenings. Any order that a patient makes is stored in a separate system that the pharmacy it has been ordered from.
So does the extra workload affect their daily routine?
It has not seemed to affect Roberts that much.‘I don’t work in the pharmacy five days a week so I can spend my free time working the site. Once a pharmacy is registered, I don’t need to do get involved a lot anyway and it’s not a lot of additional work except the random username or password SOS call.’
Howie, however, needs to spend a lot of evenings working on the site. ‘We’ve also had to take on a morning driver as the deliveries have gone up quite significantly [around ten per cent of their total business is done online]. We only had an afternoon delivery before but now we have a van on the road all day [that has been branded with the website name to act as a promotion for the website while on the road].’
While the pharmacies have not felt the need for additional storage space, they may look to employ an administrator for the site. ‘We are looking to employ a part-time administrator who can then provide backup and support to the registered pharmacies. I think it’s essential we provide maintenance and maybe call up the pharmacies and check if everything is ok.’
According to Howie, their online business is growing by ten to 15 per cent each month. ‘A lot of the increase is via our existing customers who we have encouraged to use the site. It not only increases the sales but also protects our business. It also helps us spread as previously around 95 per cent of our business was from just one surgery. Now we cater for every surgery in town. Before we were
doing ten items a month and now we are doing 50 to 100 items in some surgeries.
‘It is also down to increased marketing in the form of the branded van as well as word of mouth and the Pharmacy Show success. We put in a lot of time and effort to make it look an attractive proposition for community pharmacies.’
So how are the two pharmacies benefiting from the venture?
‘Well, currently there is a £100 plus VAT sign-up charge for pharmacies,’ Roberts said. ‘Originally we thought of charging ten pence an item sold via the website but along came Category M and that idea had to be abandoned. We are now trying to generate revenue through advertising and have limited adverts currently on the site.’
Howie hopes to increase advertising spend on the website in the near future. ‘There are adverts on the pharmacists-only area right now and we are hoping someday somebody will want to advertise some OTC prods on the patients page.’
Once the traffic increases on the site, Roberts has plans to get a lot of health information organisations involved and start provide complementing information to visitors besides the option to order repeat prescription while not losing focus of the main objectives and what the site was originally designed for.
While looking for improvements in the design and usability and different modes to improve it, Howie hopes that a lot of independent pharmacists reap rewards and thus help protect business in the future.
‘We would obviously like to increase our current user-base. When EPS is rolled in reliably and it goes live, all the big multiples are going to a big hub sort of dispensaries. In effect, prescriptions can go electronically to any big robot anywhere in the country and patients will be able to order by phone. Our worry is that we will lose a lot of prescriptions that way and I hope other pharmacies will see the threat and sign up with us.
‘If a lot of us get involved then it will not only protect the business but will also create a strong brand in itself that people will know of and trust. That will also help in protecting what happens in the future.’
For someone who did not have a huge interest in pharmacy at a young age, winning the award was a huge achievement for Howie. ‘I didnt have a big interest in going into pharmacy even thought I was doing science-related subjects in school. I didn’t fancy doing medicine but reading around those subjects, pharmacy seemed quite a broad spectrum and covered the subjects I was interested in and there seemed to be a lot of employment opportunities at the end of it.
‘Winning the award was just fantastic, more so because the project we won the award for was done in our spare time. It was great to get the recognition and appreciation as well as feedback.we received. And meeting people that evening, it got us huge publicity.
Regular praise and appreciation also comes from customers in both pharmacies upon noticing the award. And although the future seems uncertain for Howie and Roberts – one looking at a different profession and the other being moved to a business he is oblivious about – the award-winning creation has given a solid platform and one that is destined to win over more community pharmacies as well as an increased customer-base.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business March 2009
Strength in numbers
Phoenix UK’s CEO Paul Smith has had a rough start to the New Year – following the suicide of the parent company’s boss there were rumours of a takeover. In an exclusive interview with Pharmacy Business, Smith dismisses sale talks – not entirely convincingly – and presents the financially healthy side of the business... Phoenix UK last month dismissed rumours of a takeover. Has anything changed since?
Nothing has changed. We have just gone through our year-end and have produced some fantastic figures. We remain in a strong financial position and are in no need to sell the business. Our German parent company continues to discuss our positive future with the banks. We are not for sale and the UK business will not be sold.
Would it be fair to say that the future of Phoenix UK is secure for a long time?
The Merckle family issues as well as the financing problems are well documented. Bearing that in mind, all that happens is that the family starts looking at selling some assets in order to strengthen its financial position. Ratiopharm is being mentioned as one of the companies and they have made it public that a purchaser is being sought for the company.
Phoenix, may or may not, possibly in the future, change hands. I do not know that for sure. Having said that, it could have changed hands in the past just like any other business can. That does not affect our financial position. We operate in 23 countries and we are not selling off assets anywhere. We have not felt the need to sell because it is a very successful business as a whole group. So if anything is sold, it will be the group [as a whole]. I don't think it will be broken up for sale because that just won't make any sense.
Did the takeover reports affect the business and its employees?
I don’t think the takeover reports in particular affected us or the employees that much. There may have been some uncertainty because of the prevailing downturn that was felt by the entire industry. We have a great staff but the unfounded claims and the financial issues created by our founder obviously led some employees and customers to be unsettled. However, we have a great relationship with our customers. Some of them asked if they could help the company at the time. On our part, we believed it was important to spend time talking to our customers and employees and give them the confidence that we are in a strong position.
Did the Ratiopharm and suicide news affect business in the UK?
It did not have a direct impact from a customer and customer service point of view. You do spend more time than you normally would talking to people about the events and reassuring them. So there is a slight impact, certainly at a higher level. We place a special emphasis on relationships and obviously people want to talk to you in such times.
Besides the rumours, did the recession and credit crunch affect business?
The healthcare business in itself is fairly recession proof. Although the world is not in a healthy financial state, there are still the same amount of unwell people out there and they all need caring for. This sector is similar to hospitals: you don’t see less admissions due to recession or fewer visits to the doctor because of it. It does impact people's health and that is what we're involved with. Although OTC products may not be sold in a great quantity, the stress of daily life in such times is harsher and hence the tendency to visit GPs is higher.
Did the credit crunch result in any large-scale redundancies?
No, not any more than during the normal course of business. We did have a warehouse move in Glasgow last year and unfortunately, we lost some people then. However, we also re-employed a lot of people after the move. We’re opening a new depot in the south-east; that will create a few jobs.
What is Phoenix's stand on the single distributor system?
Phoenix will not be involved in a sole distribution model simply because I don't think it is a place where we should be. I can understand two or three or even multiples, but I don’t see the single distribution as being beneficial. I think even the OFT were fairly scathing of a single distribution channel and for reasons of patient choice and safety, the single channel isn’t where we should be.
I don’t believe that the integrity of the business is at risk by having more than one partner. We have formed some good partnerships recently, we expect other people to join us. I'm surprised the government doesn't see this as a health issue. That is why people will make decisions on how that supply gets to pharmacies. We're very involved from our side and are playing our part in the process by ensuring that patients are served. I firmly believe in competition, so I’d say a minimum of two because then you have comparisons as well as backup.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published in Pharmacy Business March 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
An air of complacency
Faras Ghani, a Pakistani journalist, has contributed this special post to Line and Length on the need for the Pakistan Cricket Board to wake up to their slack security.
How can Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, defend the security measures – not the security officials – in his country when he didn't see what I saw? While I wasn't in Lahore for the aborted second Test, I was in Karachi for the first where security seemed to become toned down as the match progressed.
Although security officials still outnumbered spectators, there was an air of complacency. From day two, I could see no snipers stationed atop the water towers, body searches became faint touches and most personnel positioned to search belongings would smile and wave you on.
See, I'm a cricket freak. Not an enthusiast, but a freak for only a freak would dismiss all safety concerns, defy the financial gloom and fly across the continents to spend the last drops of his holiday allowance watching Pakistan take on Sri Lanka at home in their first Tes
t for 14 months. Even the most fervent of followers queried my love for such a dour encounter, but as I told them: it could be the last series to be played in Pakistan. Little did I realise how true that prediction might be.
SecurityThe dullness of the Karachi Test allowed me to wander about the stadium with my camera. While not questioning the desire, and the right, of officials to be photographed, the sheer numbers hassling me for one became rather worrying. Being complimented for looking nice with a red tee failed to ease my worries and nor did the number of napping police officials in the stands.
I had to go through three checks from the gates to my destination but the whole act seemed superficial. Inside, perhaps fully confident in their colleagues' abilities on the gates, security officials seemed more interested in watching Younis Khan crawl to a world record, pleading for photos of them to be printed on the front pages or sharing a cigarette than keeping a watchful eye on spectator behaviour, especially in the backdrop of the prevailing law and order situation. Some even rested in bunches under the shade outside, surrounded by leftover biryani and the sense of false security.
After Lahore's debacle – deemed the farewell to international cricket in Pakistan by my good friend Hafsa Adil – how can we expect tours in six to nine months after this? Step out and smell the teabag and powered milk chai Butt sahab.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published on The Times Online Mar 13, 2009.
How can Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, defend the security measures – not the security officials – in his country when he didn't see what I saw? While I wasn't in Lahore for the aborted second Test, I was in Karachi for the first where security seemed to become toned down as the match progressed.
Although security officials still outnumbered spectators, there was an air of complacency. From day two, I could see no snipers stationed atop the water towers, body searches became faint touches and most personnel positioned to search belongings would smile and wave you on.
See, I'm a cricket freak. Not an enthusiast, but a freak for only a freak would dismiss all safety concerns, defy the financial gloom and fly across the continents to spend the last drops of his holiday allowance watching Pakistan take on Sri Lanka at home in their first Tes
t for 14 months. Even the most fervent of followers queried my love for such a dour encounter, but as I told them: it could be the last series to be played in Pakistan. Little did I realise how true that prediction might be.SecurityThe dullness of the Karachi Test allowed me to wander about the stadium with my camera. While not questioning the desire, and the right, of officials to be photographed, the sheer numbers hassling me for one became rather worrying. Being complimented for looking nice with a red tee failed to ease my worries and nor did the number of napping police officials in the stands.
I had to go through three checks from the gates to my destination but the whole act seemed superficial. Inside, perhaps fully confident in their colleagues' abilities on the gates, security officials seemed more interested in watching Younis Khan crawl to a world record, pleading for photos of them to be printed on the front pages or sharing a cigarette than keeping a watchful eye on spectator behaviour, especially in the backdrop of the prevailing law and order situation. Some even rested in bunches under the shade outside, surrounded by leftover biryani and the sense of false security.
After Lahore's debacle – deemed the farewell to international cricket in Pakistan by my good friend Hafsa Adil – how can we expect tours in six to nine months after this? Step out and smell the teabag and powered milk chai Butt sahab.
© Faras Ghani 2009
Published on The Times Online Mar 13, 2009.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Not Cricket
FOUR hundred and seventy-five days. That is how long it has been since Karachi last witnessed Test cricket. So when Pakistan took on Sri Lanka in the first Test at the National Stadium last Saturday (21), big things and big crowds were expected.
After all, it was Pakistan’s first Test since December 2007 and the visitors possessedthe twin spin threat of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.
The first day bore an uncanny resemblance to the Karachi Test in October 2007 against South Africa – a limited and inexperienced home bowling attack struggling against a talented and experienced opposition at the crease. But as the day, and the match progressed, cheers and applause became scarce. Security officials outnumbered spectators. Phone conversations and light naps, often a rare sight at National Stadium, became the order of the day.
The days that followed witnessed world and individual records, dubious decisions, dropped catches, elegant strokeplay and even daily prize draws to encourage public interest. All of them failed, despite the free entry, as the heat and poor facilities at the stadium kept enthusiasts away.“Watching cricket here [at the National Stadium] is a nightmare,” said Afzaal Khan, a student. “We can understand the security procedures but not being allowed to bring food and drinks inside the stadium cannot be justified.”
The opposition, according to those fans who turned up, was also a deciding factor. Since this series is no comparison to a crossborder duel, it was understandable why the stands remained vacant. Even the Sunday bazaar (market) witnesses a greater following, despite it being a repeated affair, perhaps because it has something of interest for all those who visit.
“If it was India playing Pakistan, I would have gladly suffered through the heat, hugely overpriced food, atrocious toilet facilities and the great mission that is entering the stand due to the numerous security checks,” said Kamal, who had opted to stay away.
Younis Khan, Pakistan’s captain, touched upon the same issue while blaming the unsporting pitch for the lack of interest. “Test cricket gets boring if we play on such wickets. If we play on such tracks then it’s not a surprise why people are staying away,” he said.
But Khan enjoyed batting on the lifeless pitch, scoring a careerbest score of 306 not out (when EE went to press), becoming only the third Pakistani batsman to make a triple century.
Some supporters blamed the absence of star attractions including Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Yousuf and Mohammad Asif for the low turnout. “It is encouraging to see Pakistan invest in youth and opt to include them in the playing 11,” said supporter Iqbal. “However, these youngsters will not bring the excitement that Sho aib and Afridi bring when they are in the middle. So unless we see some excitement on the field, we will be watching the match at home or at work.”
The few who did make the journey said they were mostly unsatisfied. “It has been a waste, a total waste and I will make sure I don’t attend any more cricket if the pitches remain the same,” said frustrated spectator Asma. “To go through all the trouble that I did, and to witness such dull action... I think it is truly shameful on the cricket board’s part and no wonder people are staying away.”
So as the shadows invaded the protected zone on the pitch, I sat there pondering my decision to travel such a long way for my love of cricket. Maybe the locals were right after all.
© Faras Ghani 2009.
Published in Eastern Eye Feb 27, 2009.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)