Removal of blockade on National Highway brings respite to Mizoram reeling under drug crisis

Mumbai, August 11, 2021:

Mizoram, which was reeling under severe drug crisis due to continued blockade on National Highway 306 from Assam side, heaved a sigh of relief as the blockade was lifted by residents in Assam.

Supply of testing kits, reagents, oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant parts and other life-saving drugs which were stuck at the Assam-Mizoram border started proceeding towards Mizoram on the National Highway after the blockade was lifted by Assam on August 7, 2021.

The residents relented after they were assured of justice for six Assam policemen and a civilian died in firing allegedly by Mizoram police and armed civilians on July 26, 2021.

The blockade on National Highway led to shortage of essential drugs and Covid related medical supplies in Mizoram facing a rise in Covid cases.

Acute shortage of essential testing reagents at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) RT-PCR lab forced the state government to cap sample testing.

Mizoram Chemists and Druggists Association which raised the issue of drug shortage due to blockade on National Highway welcomed its removal.

LH Sailo, general secretary, Mizoram Chemists and Druggists Association said “The removal of blockade has brought a respite to people of the state reeling under a health crisis with limited medical facilities.”

Due to the blockade, there was short supply of almost all lifesaving drugs in the hilly state including diabetes drugs, paracetamol, vitamin C tablets, Covid monoclonal antibodies, Covid test kits, ECG machines, thermometer etc, informed Sailo.

He said Assam police in the name of security concerns, verbally ordered all transporters in Guwahati not to book any consignments including drugs meant for Mizoram.

Sailo said that courier firms were also verbally barred from booking any parcels.

All pharmaceutical companies prefer Guwahati as primary stock and supply destination to all east and north east states including Mizoram. Any natural or manmade blockage disrupts supply and availability of medicines in north eastern states, he stated.

The killing of six Assam policemen in a pitched gun battle between police forces of both states on July 26, 2021 resulted in blockade of National Highway 306 connecting the hilly state with the rest of the country via Assam.

Taking serious note of shortage of drugs in the state due to National Highway blockade imposed by Assam, the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), an apex body of 9.4 lakh chemists and druggists across the country, sought the Central government’s intervention to ensure supply of essential medicines to Mizoram affected by national highway and railway line blockade.

Mizoram health minister Dr. R Lalthangliana had also written to the central government and Assam Health Minister Keshab Mahanta requesting them to intervene for lifting the blockade.

Welcoming the lifting of blockade, Rajiv Singhal, general secretary, AIOCD said, “Our efforts yielded the result. Essential drugs stopped by Assam at this hour of pandemic caused severe hardships to people of Mizoram. With the removal of blockade, supply of lifesaving drugs is being restored in the hilly state.” PharmaBiz