Supply chain restored, life-saving drugs arrive in bulk

Srinagar: Waking up to drugs shortage, the administration has procured critical anti-cancer and other life-saving medicines to meet the local demand in Kashmir.

For the last one week, shortage of life-saving drugs had created a crisis in the valley.

Sensing trouble,  the government immediately chipped in to restore the supply chain and transport critical life-saving drugs from other states.

President Kashmir Medical Representatives Association Mohammad Arif Bhat said the issue of drug scarcity has been brought into the notice of administration.

“We were initially facing the problem in getting the drugs to Kashmir House, Delhi. The distributors were willing to provide drugs, but the problem was about transportation. No cab driver was willing to come forward,” he said.

Bhat noted that the problem has now been addressed by the government and supplies are being replenished.

Deputy Drug Controller, Kashmir Division, Irfana Ahmad said efforts are being made to ensure the production of drugs and maintenance of sufficient stocks.

“Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has been in talks with Divisional Commissioner Delhi. The issue of hiring cabs has been resolved and fresh supplies are expected to reach the valley soon,” Irfana said.

She pointed out that the administration has hired Indian Air Forces planes to bring the fresh supplies of the cold storage drugs.

“There are two categories of drugs—long term and short term. The long term drugs like insulin need to be brought in cold storage conditions while short term drugs include your antibiotics, pain killers,” she said.

Irfana urged people to refrain from hoarding and panic buying. “Fresh supplies are being brought in a hassle-free manner.  We have asked the chemists to dispense drugs as per the prescription,” she said