Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 16 2009:
Even though a protest demonstration was staged today against RIMS authorities allowing setting up of pharmaceutical outlets inside the Hospital campus, Medical Superintendent of the premier medical institute Dr Y Mohen reasserted that there is no question of closing down the three pharmacies.
Alleging administrative favouritism to certain parties in the approval for setting up pharmacies inside the hospital campus, proprietors along with salespersons of pharmacies in the periphery of RIMS Hospital took part in the day-long protest.
The protestors also said in denunciation of RIMS authorities setting up of pharmacies inside the hospital campus all the pharmacies along RIMS road would remain shut till tomorrow.
They also contended that with the opening of pharmacies inside the hospital campus, means of economic sustenance of the medical shops outside the hospital are being compromised.
The peeved pharmacy owners further impressed upon the RIMS authorities to review their decision so as to ensure egalitarian earning opportunity to all the medical outlets.
Reacting to the allegations, Dr Y Mohen told newspersons at his office chamber that decision to allow opening of pharmacies inside the hospital campus was taken in the interest of the patients.
Referring to the stand of the Manipur Chemists and Druggists' Association to cease supply of medicines to the three pharmacies, he firmly stated that direct contact would be established with manufacturing units and marketing agents to ensure availability of medicines.
Belittling outcries of injustice by pharmaceutical outlets outside the hospital campus, the Superintendent said only when the patients, patient-parties or the general public are dissatisfied or have complaints against the arrangement RIMS authorities would review the decision taken to allow setting up of the pharmacies.
Confiding that the three pharmacies operating inside the hospital campus are being allotted space of only 9x25 feet, he said at an average the sale proceed is about Rs 25-30,000 a day.
Explaining that owing to space constraints medicine stock is not upto the desired level, Dr Mohen however said every effort would be made to ensure availability of medicines to the needy patients.
When pointed that there are complaints of deficiency of certain medicines, he confided that companies concerned would be intimated to ensure constant supply of medicines for stocking at the three pharmacies.
In case of non-compliance by the said companies, RIMS doctors would be advised to cease prescribing medicines of the recalcitrant companies, he added.