Directing all the Zonal Licensing Authorities and Drug Control Officers in the State of Punjab to ensuring availability of life saving essential drugs and consumables to the consumers in context of outbreak of COVID – 19, Mr. KS Pannu Commissioner Food & Drugs Administration Punjab said that in wake of news reports being published about identification of a few patients suspected with corona virus infection, there is an apprehension among the public that the infection may spread over to other places.Due to such apprehension certain drug formulations and consumables such as sanitizers and masks are in great demand said Pannu and added that with the rise in demand, there may be temporary / artificial shortage of some drug formulations and consumables. Some of the chemists by taking the advantage of temporary / artificial shortages of the aforementioned drugs and consumables may charge exorbitantly or may hold the stocks. In order to avoid such situations, he directed them to coordinate with the chemists associations of their areas and advise them not to indulge in such malpractices and further to ensure availability of life saving essential drugs and consumables in the chemists’ shops.He said action would be taken against the chemists under the provisions of Drugs Prices Control Order (DPCO), 2013, who are found indulging in black marketing and hoarding of drugs.