LAHORE: A large number of pharmacists lodged on Wednesday a strong protest outside the Lahore Press Club against the amendments to the Drugs Act 1976 and warned of intensifying the campaign if the decision was not reviewed.

Gathered under the banner of the Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA), the protesters blocked the road for many hours and raised slogans against the Punjab government.

The pharmacists were of the view that the amendments were proposed without taking on board the stakeholders, including the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) and distributors.

Addressing on the occasion, the Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) representatives said the Punjab government had committed blunders while proposing amendments which may cause irreparable loss to pharmacists and manufacturers.

They said one of the major concerns of pharmacists was that the government had declared the `substandard drugs` as spurious ones suggesting major punishment for the manufacturers and sellers of such drugs.

They said through the amendment the penalties had been increased and the offences declared non-bailable.

Declaring it a `black law`, the Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA) officebearers announced continuing with the protest till the acceptance of their demands.