The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer’s Association (PPMA) has invited attention to acute shortage of medicines involving the use of ephedrine or pseudo ephedrine compound.

“The manner in which investigations are being carried out into the ephedrine case is causing despondency in the pharmaceutical industry,” a PPMA statement issued here on Monday states, while referring to the Supreme Court’s instructions to ensure that investigations are carried out without harassing the industry.

“PPMA’s member companies are not taking interest in lifting of the quota of ephedrine allotted by the government for these companies because they are afraid of being harassed by the investigation teams,” the statement says.

Even the distributors have refused to deal in medicines in which ephedrine or pseudo ephedrine compound is used. Consequently, the domestic market is facing shortage of medicines like Thyroxine Tablet, Vancocin Injection, Cardarone, Inderal, Benadryl, Xanax, Lexotanil, Ativan, Betnesol N drops, Betnesol Tablet, Polyfax, Hydryllin DM and Arinac, the PPMA has regretted.