KARACHI, Dec 17: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases Director, Prof Azhar Farooqui, has registered serious concern over the counter sale of prescribed drugs and exposing locals to serious health conditions.

He was talking to journalists at the scientific session held here on Wednesday. Discussing the use of antiplatelet therapy in acute coronary syndrome, he particularly referred to the growing resistance against a wide range of antibiotics among the masses.

Dr Farooqui also expressed concern over the surge in the incidence of cardiac diseases in the country particularly affecting the youth. He suggested that people must ensure regular exercise, avoid smoking, red meat and dairy products, besides handling stress and tension in a positive manner to counter the ailment that cast its heavy toll on public health.

Earlier, a panel of experts comprising Prof Farooqui, Dr M. Ishaq, Dr Asad Pathan, Prof Almani and Prof Khalida Soomro observed that aspirin of 75mg to 150mg was beneficial for heart patients, diabetics and hypertensive individuals. —APP