Uninterrupted drugs movement urged

KARACHI: Pakistan is likely to face medicine shortage, amid lockdown as security agencies are hindering movement and transportation of medicines and employees of pharmaceutical companies, a statement issued by the Pharma Bureau said on Saturday.

The Pharma Bureau has requested the government to support uninterrupted movement of medicines and employees of pharma companies to ensure smooth manufacturing and supply of medicines.

Experts have warned that this disturbance can lead to shortage of medicines, which can be detrimental in epidemic situations. Pakistan’s pharma market is around Rs450 billion and one of the biggest employers in the country. There are around 900 companies operating in Pakistan, growing at double-digit every year. “Spread of corona has disrupted the norms of daily life significantly. The sad part is that among other matters, it has also impacted the supply of medicines, which is the most essentially needed commodity now,” a spokesperson for the bureau said.

“It has been learnt that many pharmaceutical companies are finding it difficult to freely distribute their medicines across Pakistan, as the transporters are not allowed to move freely, despite various advisories by relevant authorities, exempting medicines from the restrictions of lockdown,” the spokesperson added.

Employees of pharmaceutical companies are also being stopped on their way to offices, which may impact production and supply of medicines.