Shortage of life-saving drugs hits city
October 03, 2007
Karachi
There is believed to be acute shortage of certain essential drugs in the city over the last several months, causing immense inconvenience to patients and general public alike.
Affectees are seen running from pillar to post in a bid to secure the drugs but to no avail. One such dejected customer commented that there is no one to complain to as well since the government has shrugged off its responsibility.
The shortage of life-saving medicine was attributed partly to delay in clearance and arrival of consignments from abroad.
However, some medical store operators alleged that the shortage of some medicines was being created on purpose.
A survey conducted by The News on Tuesday revealed that there was shortage of “Hyperix” Hepatitis-A vaccine, “Ventid”, “Ritalin”, “Ventolin” solution, “Imurin” tablet, “Clopexal” injection and some others for the past several months. Their absence, say chemists, range from one to eight months.
One medical store operator on condition of anonymity said “Hyperix-A” for children was not available at pharmacies for the past one and a half month and it was not expected to be replenished any time soon.
He said “Ventolin” solution was also not available since the last two or three months. The importance of this drug rises with the approach of winter as this medicine is given to asthma patients and is a life saving drug in some cases.
One store owner alleged that the same company might have deliberately created its shortage with a purpose. He pointed out that the MNC also manufactured “Seritid” whose price was Rs1,000 while the price of “Ventolin” solution was Rs28.
He said that the company, with the alleged connivance of doctors, might have created its shortage to generate space for sale of the much more expensive “Seritid” drug. Another asthma drug “Ventid” was also missing.
The “Imurin” tablet, which is given to kidney patients, is also missing since the last one and half months. A medical store owner said it is prepared by foreign pharmaceutical company and 100 tablets were sold for Rs1,496.
A local pharmaceutical company has prepared its tablet for the same purpose with name of “Amurin” and sells 100 tablets for Rs650.
In what is being seen as a coincidence, for the last three months, the manufacturer company located in Lahore has stopped production because of reasons unknown. This has resulted in a shortage of the drug for patients.
“Ritalin” medicine worth Rs140 is missing since last 6 to 8 months. This tablet is administered to children suffering from mental problems.
Similarly, the drug store informed that “Clopexal 200” injection was not being supplied for the past 4-6 months. This is an anti-depression medicine. It is also used by people suffering from mental illness.
The store operator said it was a very essential injection as there is no alternative to it so far available in the market.
Muhammad Imran of Time Medico told this reporter that they have not been receiving several life-saving drugs for the past several months. He said BCG injection was not in stock for the last six months while anti-polio drops were also not available.
He said patients were visiting every medical store in frustration and anger. He was of the opinion that there should not be shortage of such essential drugs.
He alleged out that one distributor company (Madni Corporation) which supplies products of the MNC, Leo, was committing contempt of court by not granting 15pc margin to retailers. He pointed out that Supreme Court had clearly instructed the MNCs in this regard, which is being followed by all companies except this one.
Imran said they have also boycotted this company some time ago but they have still not gotten a positive response.
There is believed to be acute shortage of certain essential drugs in the city over the last several months, causing immense inconvenience to patients and general public alike.
Affectees are seen running from pillar to post in a bid to secure the drugs but to no avail. One such dejected customer commented that there is no one to complain to as well since the government has shrugged off its responsibility.
The shortage of life-saving medicine was attributed partly to delay in clearance and arrival of consignments from abroad.
However, some medical store operators alleged that the shortage of some medicines was being created on purpose.
A survey conducted by The News on Tuesday revealed that there was shortage of “Hyperix” Hepatitis-A vaccine, “Ventid”, “Ritalin”, “Ventolin” solution, “Imurin” tablet, “Clopexal” injection and some others for the past several months. Their absence, say chemists, range from one to eight months.
One medical store operator on condition of anonymity said “Hyperix-A” for children was not available at pharmacies for the past one and a half month and it was not expected to be replenished any time soon.
He said “Ventolin” solution was also not available since the last two or three months. The importance of this drug rises with the approach of winter as this medicine is given to asthma patients and is a life saving drug in some cases.
One store owner alleged that the same company might have deliberately created its shortage with a purpose. He pointed out that the MNC also manufactured “Seritid” whose price was Rs1,000 while the price of “Ventolin” solution was Rs28.
He said that the company, with the alleged connivance of doctors, might have created its shortage to generate space for sale of the much more expensive “Seritid” drug. Another asthma drug “Ventid” was also missing.
The “Imurin” tablet, which is given to kidney patients, is also missing since the last one and half months. A medical store owner said it is prepared by foreign pharmaceutical company and 100 tablets were sold for Rs1,496.
A local pharmaceutical company has prepared its tablet for the same purpose with name of “Amurin” and sells 100 tablets for Rs650.
In what is being seen as a coincidence, for the last three months, the manufacturer company located in Lahore has stopped production because of reasons unknown. This has resulted in a shortage of the drug for patients.
“Ritalin” medicine worth Rs140 is missing since last 6 to 8 months. This tablet is administered to children suffering from mental problems.
Similarly, the drug store informed that “Clopexal 200” injection was not being supplied for the past 4-6 months. This is an anti-depression medicine. It is also used by people suffering from mental illness.
The store operator said it was a very essential injection as there is no alternative to it so far available in the market.
Muhammad Imran of Time Medico told this reporter that they have not been receiving several life-saving drugs for the past several months. He said BCG injection was not in stock for the last six months while anti-polio drops were also not available.
He said patients were visiting every medical store in frustration and anger. He was of the opinion that there should not be shortage of such essential drugs.
He alleged out that one distributor company (Madni Corporation) which supplies products of the MNC, Leo, was committing contempt of court by not granting 15pc margin to retailers. He pointed out that Supreme Court had clearly instructed the MNCs in this regard, which is being followed by all companies except this one.
Imran said they have also boycotted this company some time ago but they have still not gotten a positive response.
