Imphal, October 11 2010: Pressing the authority to provide a list of the life saving drugs that can be procured from outside the state, medicine wholesalers today threatened to stop supply of life saving drugs alleging that procurement of these items was frequently disturbed by Narcotic Affairs and Border (NAB) and Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) offices.

Addressing a press conference in the office premises in BT Road, RK Ratan, general secretary of Manipur Chemists' and Druggists' Association alleged that NAB and NCB were seizing life saving drugs imported by them under the prescribed rules and regulation of the state government.

Alleging that this has greatly disturbed normal business, he demanded government provide a clear list of drugs that can be imported by them from companies outside the state.

If government fails to provide the same within 48 hours, members of the Manipur Chemists' and Druggists' Association will stop distribution of these items with immediate effect, he announced.

Ratan rued that many life saving drugs which they had been procuring from companies outside the state with licence issued by the state medical department are being frequently seized by the personnel of NAB and NCB.

They have often seized Benobeth-N, Matrozen Zen and Pepika tablets which are not banned in the state and are being procured by licensed drug dealers.

They seize the items during transportation by the transporters and by raiding the godowns of the dealers.

Reiterating that these drugs are not banned in the state, he said that there no ban in storing these items by retailers or wholesale dealers though there is a restriction in the quantity that can be stored at a time.

Ratan said, may be some black marketeers procure these drugs illegally.

The association is not against seizing these illegally imported drugs being sold in the black market.

NAB and NCB as well as other civil bodies conducting drives against drug abuse can seized these illegally procured drugs but should not go after those procured legally by licenced holders, he demanded.

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