LAHORE – Shutterdown strike of medical stores’ owners across Punjab still persists on fifth day against the Drug act 2017.

The All Pakistan Drugs and Chemists Association insists that the government should take back all the amendments made in the act.

Non-availability of medicines has greatly troubled the patients and their relatives. The situation is present in various cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Okara, Narowal, Sadiqabad, Chishtian, Pir Mahal, Kasur and Vehari where the medicines have become extinct.

On the contrary, the owners of the medical stores say that the Drug Act is a black law therefore the government should suspend it. They are demanding the authorities to halt raids at medical stores and laboratories.

The chemists have vowed to observe their strike till the acceptance of their demands.

The new act has added punishments for those manufacturing fake medicines. While those selling or making medicines without a license will be awarded life term up to 3-10 years and a fine of Rs5 crore.

Neither any action nor any negotiations have yet been announced by the government in this regard. From the past four days, the authorities continue to remain silent spectators over the strike.