On the call of the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association, all pharmacists in Punjab observed a complete strike on Monday against the recent Drugs Ordinance 2015. They also staged a demonstration and observed sit-in at Chowk Ghanta Ghar to press the authorities for withdrawal of this controversial ordinance. The chemists and drugs trader origination will continue this protest till the withdrawal of this ordinance.
All shops of chemists and medical stores will remain closed in main market and on Nishtar road till acceptance of demand. Supply of medicines remained suspended to all government hospitals. President of Wholesale Chemists Council Akhtar Butt, General Secretary Ali Hussain Siddiqui, Pharma Distributors Association President Azhar Baloch, Retailers Association President Abid Hussain Pirzada, Surgical and Diagnostic Association President Khalid Saif Ullah were present during the protest.
They alleged that in the garb of abolishing the sale of fake drugs, the Punjab government has introduced this ordinance which has made drug inspectors the most powerful authority to solve cases of fake medicines. Whereas druggists, chemists community and pharma industry have been made to suffer a lot at their hands. This is totally unjust decision and is not acceptable to them, they added.