Imphal, August 14: While admitting that an underground organisation has slapped a demand note on many pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines to the State, Health Minister Ph Parijat however sought to allay public fear by asserting that there is enough stock of live saving drugs in the State with the Government taking up necessary steps to ensure regular supply of the same.

Even as the Minister assured that there is enough stock of live saving drugs in the State, DGP Y Joykumar today convened a meeting with Manipur Chemists and Druggists' Association as well as Medical Representatives at his office chamber today and instructed them to make sure that the medicines are available to the people.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Manipur Chemists and Druggists' Association at his office chamber today evening, Health Minister Ph Parijat confirmed that an underground organisation had served demand notices on some pharmaceutical companies which had led to a cut off in supply of live saving drugs.

The Minister said that the question of availability or non-availability of drugs should not be linked to the monetary demands served on the companies by the underground organisation and added that this has been conveyed to the Medical Representatives as well as the Chemists and Druggists' Association.

If the companies refuse to send their supplies then necessary action will be taken up, he added.

On the reported shortage of ART drugs for People Living with HIV, the Minister said that NACO restricted the supply to the ART Centre at RIMS after the RIMS Centre erroneously calculated that a box of ART should contain 60 tablets instead of 30.Altogether 1000 tablets of ART for Ukhrul have arrived and NACO has been urged to supply the needed drugs to RIMS soon, added Parijat.

To a question, Parijat said that if the companies refuse to supply the needed drugs, then the Government will make necessary arrangements to get the same from Guwahati including ART drugs.

The Minister also appealed to the public not to press the alarm button and go on a panic buying spree.

"There is no shortage of drugs, the public need not panic and if the need arises, the Government will step in and make the drugs available," assured the Minister.

Parijat further said that some unscrupulous elements may be trying to take advantage of the situation by hoarding the drugs and creating an aritificial shortage so that the same may be sold at a premium.

If anyone is found selling the medicines above the stipulated cost, then action will be taken up, he added.

The Health Department did not procure any medicines in the last fiscal but this time the medicines worth Rs 50/60 lakhs will be purchased, added the Minister.

Earlier in the day, DGP Y Joykumar convened a meeting with the Manipur Chemists and Druggists' Association and Medical Representatives and asked them to take up necessary steps so that the medicines are made available to the needy people.

Significantly a large number of Medical Representatives have been moved outside the State by their respective pharmaceutical companies after the under-ground organisation slapped the monetary demand.

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