All Kerala Chemists And Druggists’ Association calls for credit extension

KOCHI

: The

All Kerala Chemists And Druggists’ Association

(AKCDA) has written to all major

pharmaceutical companies

asking them for an extension of time to deposit cash collections as

banks

are working with skeletal staff due to lockdown.


“We have sought a 15-day extension to help us deposit our payments because many areas are under containment and there’s also the lockdown and a triple lockdown too. Chemists/stockists and dealers of medicines are putting all effort to support the government to make available essential life-saving medicines to the public,” said A N Mohan, president AKCDA.

He said that most stockists are working with limited staff as public transport is suspended and supply schedules are disrupted. “We are neither getting collections nor able to deposit the cash collections as banks are operating with 25% staff and have limited their operations up to 1pm,” he said.

AKCDA has also sought the help of the drug controller to address this issue. “The companies should allow a minimum of 15 days extended

credit period

to their stockists to enable them to stock and sell essential medicines to the suffering people. Our plea is that they should not withhold supplies because of bouncing of cheques. They should also authorize stockists to pass on bonus schemes to the small players too so that they are not deprived of the benefits.”

Mohan said that most medical stores are working with single staff. It is difficult to deposit money when people come down during the relaxation time to buy medicines. “Shops in containment zones and the triple lockdown period are facing a difficult time. Ensuring that medicines are available for customers is our priority now,” he added.


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