Retail drug stock supply has been hit by 30 per cent as a result of the ongoing truckers strike, which has entered its sixth day, claims the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD).
"If the strike continues for another three days, pharma retail sales is going to be hit by about 20 per cent per day," the Association sources added.
Although all kind of medicine flow has been impacted by now, AIOCD has warned that the life saving medicines are likely to face severe shortage if the strike continues for another few days.
Since the inter-state flow of medicines has been totally stopped, the drugs manufactured in the south and north, which is coming to Mumbai has become almost static. Already the supply of drugs from the stockists to the retailer level has been on a halt in the country.
"Essential drugs are going to be hit if the truckers strike do not end in the next few days. People in cities will have to use their own vehicle or taxis for buying essential medicines from stockists. Even the stockists would be able to manage their stocks for another 10 days," said sources.
People in villages and small towns are going to suffer the maximum due to shortage of stocks.
The supply of incoming materials, despatches and exports of pharma companies have totally stopped during the last one week. "Companies will be able to withstand this for another one week. Beyond, that it will begin to squeeze business of pharma companies," said B K Sharma, deputy director, Unichem Ltd.
According to Yogin Majmudar, President, IDMA, the small bulk and formulation manufacturers are the ones going to be really affected by the strike if it continues for another one week.
In the meanwhile, OPPI has appealed to the All India Transporters Union to put an end to the strike or at least facilitate the transportation of drugs, which are essential to common man. "The exports have been hit. If the strike continues for another 10 days, it will have impact on the September ending quarter," said Dr. Ajit Dangi, director general, OPPI.