Treating infections: Chemists cry foul over shortage of medicines
Say shopkeepers sell them at higher prices during the winter.
Chief drug inspector said that strict action would be taken against those shopkeepers who stock medicines in order to earn more money. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
Chemists and druggists maintain there is a shortage of medicines used to treat infectious diseases as they are being sold in the black market due to increased demand amid the ongoing cold spell.
The medicines allegedly being sold in the black market include Erythrocin (used to treat throat infections), Activan (used to relieve anxiety), Panadol CF, Cofcol, Actifed P and Triaminic (used to treat chest infections, cough and cold). Meanwhile, the price of Lexotanil tablets has reached over Rs70, whereas it previously cost only Rs35.
“These medicines are used to treat infectious diseases like cough, cold, chest infections and other ailments which are widespread in winter. Because their demand has increased now, dealers are selling them in black markets and making huge profits,” alleged a shopkeeper near Khyber Teaching Hospital while requesting anonymity.
He added the medicines are bought at high prices from dealers in Khyber Bazaar and then resold on increased rates. As a result, patients in need suffer.
A shopkeeper in Nishterabad, Shahid Mehmood said bigger dealers have direct contact with pharmaceutical companies and buy medicines in huge stocks, storing them until demand increases.
“When doctors prescribe these medicines to patients, we ask them to replace a specific medicine with another that has the same function. Some medicines have alternatives, but many do not and it is a problem for patients,” said Mehmood.
Chief Drug Inspector of the provincial health department, Sabir Ali said most of the medicines sold at higher prices are those stocked by chemists, who paid huge amounts of money to pharmaceutical companies.
“There is no shortage of medicines in the open market because we regularly check the prices and quality of the medicines to keep them affordable for patients,” maintained Ali.
He added that strict action would be taken against those shopkeepers who stock medicines in order to earn more money.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2013.
Chemists and druggists maintain there is a shortage of medicines used to treat infectious diseases as they are being sold in the black market due to increased demand amid the ongoing cold spell.
The medicines allegedly being sold in the black market include Erythrocin (used to treat throat infections), Activan (used to relieve anxiety), Panadol CF, Cofcol, Actifed P and Triaminic (used to treat chest infections, cough and cold). Meanwhile, the price of Lexotanil tablets has reached over Rs70, whereas it previously cost only Rs35.
“These medicines are used to treat infectious diseases like cough, cold, chest infections and other ailments which are widespread in winter. Because their demand has increased now, dealers are selling them in black markets and making huge profits,” alleged a shopkeeper near Khyber Teaching Hospital while requesting anonymity.
He added the medicines are bought at high prices from dealers in Khyber Bazaar and then resold on increased rates. As a result, patients in need suffer.
A shopkeeper in Nishterabad, Shahid Mehmood said bigger dealers have direct contact with pharmaceutical companies and buy medicines in huge stocks, storing them until demand increases.
“When doctors prescribe these medicines to patients, we ask them to replace a specific medicine with another that has the same function. Some medicines have alternatives, but many do not and it is a problem for patients,” said Mehmood.
Chief Drug Inspector of the provincial health department, Sabir Ali said most of the medicines sold at higher prices are those stocked by chemists, who paid huge amounts of money to pharmaceutical companies.
“There is no shortage of medicines in the open market because we regularly check the prices and quality of the medicines to keep them affordable for patients,” maintained Ali.
He added that strict action would be taken against those shopkeepers who stock medicines in order to earn more money.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2013.