'Pharma cos face probs in distribution of drugs in J-K'

Pharmaceutical companies, which are sending across medical aid for flood affected people in Jammu and Kashmir, claim to be facing difficulties in distribution of drugs

M Srinivas Reddy, director (marketing) of Hetero Drugs Limited, a leading private pharma company, said that many pharmaceutical manufacturers are willing to donate medicines and the government needs to bring in doctors from outside to the submerged region immediately, besides setting up make-shift hospitals to avert a 'medical disaster'.

"A big medical disaster is going to happen if the government does not take up the issue seriously. The marooned areas need at least 3,000-4,000 doctors immediately as most of the doctors belonging to that region are also falling ill. Many drug companies are willing to donate medicines generously. But just sending drugs will not solve the problem," he told PTI.

Since several hospitals in the valley are still water-logged, some buildings, including residential, located in the high-rise areas can be converted into temporary hospitals and patients could be shifted there, he said.

When contacted, a spokesperson of Organisation of Pharmaceuticals Producers of India said they received a letter from the government seeking support from its members in terms of supplying drugs free of cost.

"The same has been forwarded to our members requesting support on individual basis," the spokesperson said. A senior official of a city-based drug company said the need of the hour is to ensure proper supply of oral re-hydration salts and antibiotics to prevent any communicable diseases.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who recently visited the flood ravaged state and surveyed medical camps there, said the centre has assured all medical help, including sending doctors and paramedic staff, to Jammu & Kashmir to prevent the outbreak of diseases in the flood-ravaged state.