LAHORE, Oct 4: Chemists’ strike in Lahore and other parts of the province continued for the second day on Thursday against the new drug rules.

They also held demonstration outside the Services Hospital and chanted slogans against the government for not withdrawing the ‘controversial’ clauses of the rules which were barring them from selling essential medicines and also making it difficult for them to get licences.

As it did on Wednesday, the people had to face problems in getting essential medicines. Visitors to the outdoor and indoor departments at the public and private hospitals were the main sufferers.

Pakistan Chemists Retailers Association President Ishaq Mayo told Dawn that Thursday’s strike was better than the previous day’s. He said almost all medical stores outside the public and private hospitals in the city remained closed. The medical store owners in other parts of the province also responded to the association’s strike call.

He claimed that the government had contacted the association for talks over the issue, but the chemists would not hold any negotiations with the authorities unless it restored the drug rules of 1988. —Staff Reporter