Kashmir Uncertainty: Lifesaving drugs off the shelves in Kashmir

Prevailing uncertainty; cellular communication gag, major barriers in shortage of drug supply, say Chemists

5 Dariya News

Srinagar 24-Sep-2019

As uncertainty enters over 50 days in Kashmir post revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the erstwhile J&K state into two Union Territories (UT’s), the valley based medical Practioners are worried a lot as the stock of many lifesaving drugs is running out of stock now days in the region.According to the wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the prevailing uncertainty which continues to hold its grip on the entire region of Kashmir for over 50 days, now brings the challenging times for the patients who rely on the consumption of lifesaving drugs which is running short of stock in the valley. The valley based chemists are pointing out at the prevailing uncertainty and the ongoing cellular gag as the major reason for the unavailability of the stocks of life saving drugs.Irshad Ahmad, a chemist told the wire service—KNO that, “There are several drugs which are running short in the market, as most of the pharmaceutical companies have refused to take our new orders because of the delay in our pending payments, which we couldn’t manage to pay due to the ongoing situation in the valley.”

He told KNO that apart from the outstanding payments, the major pharmaceutical companies are now afraid of their future dealings with the valley based chemists. He further said that,” The ongoing cellular and internet gag have multiplied our problems and the same gag have affected  our business dealings as we usually pay to these companies via MPay (JK Banks mobile banking application) on weekly basis but due to the internet block-down we failed to do so.”Nazir Ahmad, a patient told KNO that, “I have undergone a cardiac surgical procedure of CABG (Coronary Angiography Bypass Grafting) and my surgeon have strictly advised me to take a shot of Influenza every year but unfortunately that medicine is running out of stock in Kashmir valley.”He said that he personally went to various medical stores in order to get his prescribed medicine but were told by most of the Pharmacist’s that they are running short of this medicine from the last two weeks. However he further said that the state administration should think about us and act accordingly on this as we are left in a desperate situation.”  (KNO)