State Drug Control Steps Up Preparedness Ahead of Medicine Shop Closure in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: In view of the statewide shutdown scheduled for May 20, the drug control administration has issued a series of directives aimed at ensuring uninterrupted access to medicines and healthcare support services across the state.

According to the recent media report by Prameya News, all medicine shops across the state will remain closed on Wednesday, May 20, following which the Drug Control administration issued guidelines to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential and life-saving medicines to the public.

To manage the situation effectively, the Drug Control department has instructed Assistant Drug Controllers in all districts to initiate immediate preparedness measures and maintain close surveillance over the availability and distribution of critical medicines in their jurisdictions.

The authorities have specifically directed hospital-attached pharmacies, medicine counters in clinical establishments, and 24x7 medicine stores to remain operational during the shutdown. These facilities have also been instructed to maintain adequate staffing arrangements to ensure that patients and attendants do not face difficulties in accessing medicines during emergency situations.

The administration has also sought cooperation from district officials and local police authorities to facilitate the smooth functioning of operational pharmacies and ensure that access to medicines is not hindered during the bandh period.

In addition, wholesalers and medicine distributors have been advised to maintain sufficient stock and complete advance supply arrangements for retail pharmacies ahead of the shutdown. Chemists’ associations across the state have been instructed to stay in regular communication with the authorities to address any emergency requirements or distribution-related issues.

Special focus has been placed on patients suffering from chronic and life-threatening conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cardiac ailments, epilepsy, and cancer. Officials have been directed to ensure that such patients, especially those residing in remote and rural areas, have access to adequate medicine supplies in advance to avoid treatment interruptions.

The Drug Control administration has further asked field officials to provide real-time updates regarding any disruption in the medicine supply chain or emergency healthcare needs arising during the shutdown.

The state government has taken all precautionary steps to protect public health interests and ensure continuous availability of medicines throughout the bandh period, reports Prameya News.