KASUR: Chemists’ Association on Friday decided to hold a provincewide shutter down strike on April 25, to protest against the Punjab government for not implementing the Punjab Drugs Act Amendment Bill 2017.
The decision was taken at a convention organised by the Bulleh Shah Chemist and Drug Association Kasur. Among those who participated at the convention were Punjab Chemist Council President Chaudhry Nisar Ahmed, PPMA Chairman Hamid Zia, Joint Action Committee Chairman Nadeem Zafar, Punjab Chemist Association Secretary General Saleem Sheikh and Bhulleh Shah Chemist Association President Hagi Shakar.
Speakers at the seminar said the government had approved the said bill with the consensus of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, but it was not implemented even after the passage of one year. They said the previous acts were made and implemented without acknowledging the ground realities of the pharmaceutical industry.
Ch Nisar Ahmed said the government had been using delaying tactics and consequently punishing medical store owners under the previous laws that were not acceptable to them.
Hamid Zia alleged that the government had “soft corners” for multinational companies and wanted to destroy the domestic pharmaceutical businesses. He added that the government had plans of handing over the chain businesses of the pharmaceutical industry to a few families and wanted to leave thousands of workers unemployed.
Hagi Muhammad Shakir, at the occasion, said the association had now given a 5-day deadline to the government for the implementation of the said act which was made with the consensus of all stakeholders and government representatives.
