Low on drugs

IMPHAL, May 18: The State's stock of life saving drugs and other medicines has fallen below 60 percent, said Manipur Chemists & Druggists' Association (MCDA).
The association said the State may face acute shortage of all kinds of drugs in the coming days if the Government doesn't intervene and provide safe passage to truckloads of drugs/medicines stuck in Manipur and Assam.
Speaking to the media at a press meet held at its office at BT Road, MCDA president RK Rakesh expressed concern and said the stock of all drugs including life saving have fallen by more than  40 percent.
He stated that the vehicles carrying drugs are stuck in Manipur and Assam, and panic buying of the people are reasons for the quick fall in the stock of drugs.
Fearing that the situation may not improve and the chemists may run out of stock of the drugs, people were indulging in panic buying in the last few days, he said.
Rakesh said at present there are at least 26 trucks carrying drugs (including life saving drugs) stuck in Assam and Manipur at present.
Stating Manipur has a large number of patients with kidney, diabetic and heart related ailments needing life-saving drugs, Rakesh said the ban put on internet services has also affected the flow of drugs severely.
With the internet services shut, there is a break in the chain of communications among the chemists, Medical Representatives and suppliers. The chemists who had ordered drugs are also not able to track the couriers/vehicles and their consignment, he added.
Anticipating such a shortage of stock, MCDA president said the association had earlier approached and met Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan and apprised him of the situation.
Appealing to the Health Minister and the State Government, Rakesh said, "To replenish the stock of life saving and other drugs, the Government should consider airlifting the drugs and provide safe and secure passage of drug carrying vehicles stuck in Manipur and Assam."