VEHARI, Feb 27: Chemists and druggists observed strike in parts of Punjab on Wednesday against the enforcement of controversial drug rules.

A complete strike was observed in Vehari, Mailsi, Burewala and suburbs on the call of the Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association (PCDA). On this occasion, medical store owners demanded withdrawal of the new drug rules.

Talking to reporters, PCDA spokesman Aslam Faisal said all medical store owners were on a complete strike in protest against the new rules. He said the new drug rules were against the interests and basic rights of chemists and people. He said chemists would not accept the ‘unlawful and unethical’ rules at any cost. He said these rules would destroy the business of over 500 chemists/druggists and pharmaceutical units in Punjab.

Medical store owners also observed a complete strike in Sahiwal, Harappa, Noorshah, Chichawatni, Kassowal and Ghaziabad against the new drug rules. They staged a protest demonstration against the government and demanded withdrawal of the new rules. As a result, several patients remained without medicines. Chemists and druggists also observed a complete strike in Gujranwala and its suburbs. All medical stores in the city and suburbs like Ghakkar, Wazirabad, Rahwali, Kamoki, Noshehra Virkan, Qila Dedar Singh and Alipur Chattha remained closed.

In Okara, hundreds of medical store owners kept their shutters down.