TAXILA: Pharmacists, owners of medical stores and traders dealing in wholesale drugs participated in a protest rally on Thursday against the Punjab Drugs (Amended) Ordinance 2015.

Many protesters carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the ordinance and demanded proindustry policies. The protesters warned that their campaign would intensify if the government did not review its decision.

Under the banner of the Pakistan Pharmacists Association (PPA), the protesters blocked roads and raised slogans against the Punjab government.

The protesters believe that the amendments were proposed without taking on board stakeholders such as thePakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), the PPA and distributors.

Speaking on the occasion, the PPA representatives said the Punjab government`s amendments might cause pharmacists and manufacturers irreparable losses.

They said the government`s decision to equate producing and selling of `sub-standard` drugs with `spurious` ones was unjust besides criticising the punishments for manufacturers and distributors involved in this business. They also criticised declaring such offenses nonbailable.

PPA of ficials announced that the protests would continue until their demands were accepted. They appealed to the prime minister and the chief minister to exempt licensed manufacturers, retailers and chemists from the ordinance, thereby only leaving it applicable to the manufacturers and retailers involved in the sale of `spurious` drugs.Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), the PPA and distributors.

Speaking on the occasion, the PPA representatives said the Punjab government`s amendments might cause pharmacists and manufacturers irreparable losses.

They said the government`s decision to equate producing and selling of `sub-standard` drugs with `spurious` ones was unjust besides criticising the punishments for manufacturers and distributors involved in this business. They also criticised declaring such offenses nonbailable.

PPA of ficials announced that the protests would continue until their demands were accepted. They appealed to the prime minister and the chief minister to exempt licensed manufacturers, retailers and chemists from the ordinance, thereby only leaving it applicable to the manufacturers and retailers involved in the sale of `spurious` drugs.