K-P’s chemists shutter stores to protest drug law

Health dept official rejects criticism of law since it was formed after consulting chemists

PESHAWAR: Chemists and pharmacies across the province shut their stores on Tuesday as they protested against Drugs Rules 2017, and urged the provincial government to withdraw the rules.

The strike caused problems for patients who could be seen running from pillar to post to secure medicines.

Medical stores in Peshawar remained shut for all day in the city, while protesters blocked Grand Trunk Road outside the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P Assembly for all kinds of traffic, causing severe traffic jams in the city.

The protesters held up placards and chanted slogans against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. They warned the government that their shutter down strike would continue until the government withdraws the Drug Rules 2017, which has been affecting their business.

Pakistan Chemists Drug Association—Peshawar Chairman Mobeen Khan told protesters that the government had compelled them to close their shops and protest on the streets.

He said that the drug act was not acceptable at any cost since it directly affects their business.

Mobeen claimed that they met with officials from the K-P health department on numerous occasions to discuss the matter and to search for a positive solution, but the provincial government was not serious in resolving the issue.

By comparison, Mobeen pointed out that the Punjab government had withdrawn the drug rules after all chemists and drug dealers in the province protested against it and closed their businesses.

The chairman warned that they would not reopen their stores until their demands are fulfilled.

The K-P health department, however, has categorically rejected the demands of drug and chemist association, terming it baseless and grounded on selfish interests.

The health department, in a statement, clarified that the Drug Rules 2017, was approved after consultation with representatives from the Pakistan Chemist and Drug Association. Hence, any protest against the law was unwarranted.

The statement furthered that the drug rules 2017 are aimed at providing citizens of the province with better healthcare services and ensuring that health PR actioners in the province are qualified in their respective fields.

Furthermore, the amendment in drug rules 1982 are aimed at curbing unprofessional medical practitioners and quacks from working in the province and to prevent repeat occurrences of incidents such as the death of patients at hands of unauthorized and illegal medical practitioners.

Talking to The Express Tribune, K-P Health Department Deputy Secretary Ibrahim Khan criticised the protests and said that a mafia of disqualified people was responsible for it.

He was adamant that the government will never withdraw the rules.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2018.