RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Chemist and Druggist Association on Friday decided to observe a shutter down strike in Rawalpindi and other parts of Punjab from Monday onwards for an unspecified period of time against the amendments made in the Punjab Law Act 1976 by the provincial assembly and demanded for it to be repealed.

The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Drugs Amendment Bill 2017 on Feb 8 in which the manufacturer, importer or seller of a spurious, adulterated or unregistered drug will be punished with between three and 10 years in prison and a fine of between Rs25 million and Rs50 million.

If a drug found in a chemists shop is found to be spurious, the owner of the business will face between six months to three years in prison and a fine of between Rs100,000 and Rs1 million.

The association’s District President Malik Arshad Awan told Dawn chemists, dealers and manufacturers will go on strike from Monday against the harsh punishments.

“The government is confusing the people by mixing sub-standard and spurious drugs and making the law without consulting stakeholders,” he said, adding that the strike will continue till the bill is repealed.

“All shops will be closed and no dealer will supply medicines anywhere in Rawalpindi and other parts of the province,” he said.

Mr Awan added that the decision was made in a joint meeting of chemists, dealers and manufacturers on Friday.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2017