The pharmaceutical industry and trade estimate the recent rain havoc in Maharashtra has damaged drugs worth in between Rs 500 crore to Rs 1000 crore and it may take at least a month’s time to streamline the drug distribution network in the state.

Most of the leading companies are hit as floods destroyed the stocks at the Bhiwandi region, where most of the pharma companies have godowns for supply in the state. Badly affected companies include Ranbaxy, Novartis, Cipla, Pfizer, GSK, Lupin, Nicholas Piramal, Indoco Remedies etc., which are claimed to have lost medicines worth several crores of rupees at their flooded godowns. The companies are trying to bring in fresh stocks for supply in the state.

“Many godowns are damaged and some are still under water. There is no supply of electricity and water to most of the godowns. This has not only destroyed the available stocks, but also affected the supply of fresh stocks. It will take another ten days to a month to recover from the damage,” said, J S Shinde, president, MSCDA and also general secretary of the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).

He said 15,000 chemists and druggists in and around Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane district were affected badly.

“Due to heavy flooding, waterborne diseases and epidemics are likely to happen and demand for essential medicines is increasing. Heavy damage to godowns and other outlets are sure to cause shortage of medicines and drugs in Mumbai and suburbs,” he elaborated.

He said the traders have already supplied essential drugs worth Rs 5 lakhs to the political parties to distribute among the public. Prophylactics like doxycycline and metronidazole, used in the treatment of gastro-enteritis, are in short supply in many parts of the state. Many pharma companies are in the process of routing stocks from other states to Mumbai and suburban areas to face shortage, said sources.