Pharma Bureau urges steady supply of medicines in Pakistan
Spokesperson says disturbance can cause shortage of medicines during epidemic crisis
PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
A shortage of medicines is feared in the country amid lockdown, despite exclusion as security agencies are hindering supply and transportation of medicines and employees of pharmaceutical companies.
The Pharma Bureau has requested the government to support the uninterrupted supply of medicines and employees transportation to ensure smooth manufacturing and accumulation of medicines.
Experts warned that this disturbance can lead to a shortage of medicines which can be detrimental in the prevailing epidemic situation.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical market is around Rs450 billion and is one of the biggest employers in the country. There are around 900 companies operating in Pakistan growing every year.
“Spread of corona has disrupted the norms of daily life significantly. The sad part is that amongst other matters, it has also impacted the supply of medicines, which is the most essential commodity these days,” said the Pharma Bureau spokesperson.
“It has been observed that many pharmaceutical companies are finding it difficult to freely distribute medicines across the country as the transporters are not allowed to move freely, despite various advisories by relevant authorities exempting medicine from the restrictions of lockdown.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson added that employees of pharma companies are also being stopped on their way to offices, which may impact production and supply of medicines.
“There is dire need to take this matter seriously and a very clear directive should be issued to all concerned authorities and LEAs to allow the transporters involved in the distribution of the medicines to operate freely.”
The official added that non-availability of medicines could convert into a very serious problem under the current circumstances.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2020.
A shortage of medicines is feared in the country amid lockdown, despite exclusion as security agencies are hindering supply and transportation of medicines and employees of pharmaceutical companies.
The Pharma Bureau has requested the government to support the uninterrupted supply of medicines and employees transportation to ensure smooth manufacturing and accumulation of medicines.
Experts warned that this disturbance can lead to a shortage of medicines which can be detrimental in the prevailing epidemic situation.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical market is around Rs450 billion and is one of the biggest employers in the country. There are around 900 companies operating in Pakistan growing every year.
“Spread of corona has disrupted the norms of daily life significantly. The sad part is that amongst other matters, it has also impacted the supply of medicines, which is the most essential commodity these days,” said the Pharma Bureau spokesperson.
“It has been observed that many pharmaceutical companies are finding it difficult to freely distribute medicines across the country as the transporters are not allowed to move freely, despite various advisories by relevant authorities exempting medicine from the restrictions of lockdown.”
Furthermore, the spokesperson added that employees of pharma companies are also being stopped on their way to offices, which may impact production and supply of medicines.
“There is dire need to take this matter seriously and a very clear directive should be issued to all concerned authorities and LEAs to allow the transporters involved in the distribution of the medicines to operate freely.”
The official added that non-availability of medicines could convert into a very serious problem under the current circumstances.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2020.