Life-saving drug shortage in parts of Pune

Ten days after wholesale chemists stopped purchase of medical supplies in protest against the alleged harassment by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officials, a shortage of some basic life-saving drugs has hit certain areas of the city. The wholesale chemists will supply drugs to retailers till stocks last, said the chemists association.

In other parts, retail chemists say stocks will last for a few days after which there could be a shortage of drugs since people were buying drugs ‘in bulk’ fearing non-availability later.

The drugs said to be in shortage are anti-diabetic, anti-clotting and cholesterol drugs besides some drugs for tuberculosis.
At Camp’s Vijay Medicals, owner Rajendra Jain admitted that he was facing a problem in sourcing many drugs.

“Since yesterday, I am searching for a drug called Brillanta used by cardiac patients as it has anti-clotting properties. I sold my last strip yesterday and even the distributors don’t have it anymore. Besides, there is shortage of anti-diabetic drugs from Amaryl group like Glimepride, Atorvastatin drugs to help lower cholesterol.”

At Pune station’s Prakash Medical Centre, drugs are still available. “People like us have the capacity to buy drugs in bulk and that’s why we can make purchases direct from manufacturers if stocks run out. But the small retailers will not be able to do so. Currently there is fear of drugs running out and hence patients who require routine medication are buying in bulk. Hence in 4 to 5 days, acute drug shortage might be seen,” said Girish Jain, partner.

He added that while Indian variants of drugs were available, many brands manufactured by multinational companies were running out.

Meanwhile, FDA officials claimed there was no shortage of drugs in the market whatsoever and that 24-hour chemists and hospital pharmacies were equipped to tide over the problem.

“We are keeping close tabs on the market and are speaking daily with wholesalers. They have not been reported any shortage so far. If there is any problem in procuring drugs, retail chemists should contact us,” said BR Masal, joint commissioner (drugs), FDA Pune.

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List of 24X7 chemists’ shops

Deendayal Hospital’s Medical Store, FC Road/ 66498888

Medipoint Hospital, Aundh / 27297337

Sahyadri Hospital Medical Stores, Kothrud / 67213000

Poona Hospital Medical Stores, Sadashiv Peth / 9850068054 or 24331706 extn 1152

Noble Hospital’s Medical Stores, Hadapsar / 66285000

Inlaks Budhrani Hospital, Koregaon Park/ 9371099226 or 66099717

Bharati Hospital, Dhankawadi / 9823105555 or 24365430

Sinhagad Medical & General Stores, Narhe / 9226426637

Wellness Forever Chemists, Vimannagar / 9822421174

Lokmanya Hospital, Chinchwad / 46606822