While responding to the appeal made by the Jammu & Kashmir Government Pharmacists Association (JKGPA) for free supply of medicines from pharma manufacturing companies all over the country to be distributed to the flood victims in the state, the Tamil Nadu branch of the Indian drugs manufacturers association (TNIDMA) has decided to donate Rs. 1 lakh to J&K instead of sending medicines.

This was revealed to Pharmabiz by M Rajaratinam, chairman of TN IDMA.

He said last year , the association faced difficulties while sending medicines to Uttarakhand where nobody was to receive the parcels and distribute them to the concerned authorities. “So, instead of sending medicines, we will pay Rs one lakh to JKGPA or to the state authorities this time”, said he.

Whereas, Tufail Bazaz, the president of JKGPA, while speaking to Pharmabiz over telephone from Srinagar, said JKGPA is collecting medicines from big and small pharma companies to be distributed to the people in the flood affected areas. He said a mass devastation due to flood like this is happening for the first time in the history of Jammu & Kashmir.

According to him, if immediate measures are not taken to address the grave situation prevailing in the state now, there may be chances for outbreak of viral fever, water borne diseases, hepatitis etc. JKGPA is organising a medicine distribution camp in the premises of AIIMS research laboratory at Sanat Nagar in Sri Nagar. Major categories of drugs required are for patients of hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and other life saving items such as blankets, chlorines, disinfectants, neutraceuticals like baby milk etc.

The pharmacists association will also follow up cancer patients who are suffering and missing medicines. For distribution of baby milk to the children housed in hospitals and in make-shift homes, JKGPA will approach the Nestle India Company for collection of milk products.

Tufail Bazaz said since the government of India has declared the flood as natural and national calamity, the manufacturing companies should come forward to help the state by supplying medicines and neutraceutical products.

Meanwhile, the IMA has sent 200 doctors and 400 paramedical staff to the state to help the flood victims.