Basic drugs & equipment out of stock in many pharmacies

PATNA: Due to the surge in demand of medicines being prescribed for treatment of Covid patients, city pharmacies are facing shortage of basic drugs. Not only the medicines for Covid, but the equipment such as pulse oximeter, nebulizer, glucometer, portable oxygen cylinders and steam inhalers are also out of stock at many places. Medicines like Fabiflu and Tocilizumab injection are also in short supply.
Rajesh Arya, secretary at Patna Chemist and Druggist Association, told this newspaper that there is shortage of medicines, including Remdesivir, Azithromycin and even vitamin supplements, in the market.“We supply medicines of the same composition of different brands to avoid shortage and use them as substitute. We are putting in every effort to provide basic medicines, so that more and more lives could be saved,” he said.
Shaiwal, owner of a pharmacy at Khajpura said: “It’s terrible that we can’t provide people with basic medicines prescribed to Covid patients, such as Azithromycin, zinc tablets and even Paracetamol as they are in short supply. We are trying to make them available at the earliest. There is a spike in demand for pulse oximeter and thermometer as well.”
Satendra Kumar, who works at a chemist shop at Sheikpura, said: “Many people who are not Covid positive are also purchasing the medicines in bulk out of fear of shortage. They are also grabbing equipment like oximeter and thermometer to monitor their oxygen and temperature regularly.”
Owner of another pharmacy in the city said there is shortage of paracetamol as it is very much in demand because of the rise in Covid cases. “It’s a difficult time to cope with these uncertainties. Basic injections and medicines prescribed for patients are is short supply but we are trying to make them available,” he said.
Shashank Mohan, an undergraduate student from Patna City, said he went to buy Fabiflu and Remdesivir but both weren’t available at the moment. “The chemist told me they didn’t even have paracetamol. I somehow arranged the medicines,” he said.
Ritika Kumari, an undergraduate student from Gardanibagh, said she had never felt so helpless. “Some people are taking this situation for granted and selling medicines and injections at exorbitant prices. However, there are some people who are providing us the verified information regarding the availability of the medicines on social media. It’s somehow helpful,” she said.