A member : The government dispensaries have been distributing primaquine to patients for treatment and prevention of malaria. The drug is widely known for its heavy side effects. Would hon'ble health minister (Raj Narain) throw some light on use of primaquine?
Health Minister : Within suggested dosage, upto 15 mg a day, primaquine is a safe drug. The dose of chloroquine is 1000 mg single dose. Since many doctors are unaware of such difference in dosage of two drugs, primaquine given in dose of 1000 mg produces severe side effects. Steps have been taken to make all doctors aware of correct dosage of primaquine.
My Comment : Even presuming there were some medicos in the parliament, no one knew anything about primaquine. The question ended without further discussion. Primaquine was then available as 2.5 mg tablets (later 15 mg tablets were introduced). The statement of the minister implied 400 tablets were frequently prescribed to and swallowed by individual patients BY MISTAKE.
3-4 decades ago, the parliamentarians had been educated in a different environment. A matriculate was fairly good at English grammer and most educated people knew basic aspects of law and legislation. Most people knew a dozen sections of IPC - present lot has little knowledge beyond 420/302. During the present era of specialisation, people tend to know all about some things and none about others. Before debut into parliament or assembly, a politician specialises in two subjects - keeping the flock together and converting status into cash.
With ignorance of law and legislation, also with legal experts having allied aptitude, many legislations are untenable in court. Just as 400 tablets prescribed and then swallowed by mistake was never questioned, most sections of Delhi Medical Council Act are in contravention of Indian Medical Council Act. No one bothers. Who has the time to have a look at two acts and detect discrepencies? At the top of it, DMC convened meeding of all state medical councils and projected DMC Act as model legislation assuming powers to defy law of land.