CNI News
23 Nov 2022
As transportation of medicines to Rakhine has been prohibited by Rakhine State Administration Council, some medicines have been in low stock or out of stock, according to local residents, medicine companies and merchants.
Residents have been forced to save medicines and well-to-do people are buying some medicines for chronic diseases from Yangon at high prices, Chairman U Tin Aung Oo of Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce told the CNI.
He said, "A large number of medicines have run out of stock and residents are using the remaining medicines thriftily. There is a serious shortage of medicine in Rakhine State. As some medicines for older people like those for heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressures are indispensable, well-to-do people place orders for them in Yangon under their own arrangements at high prices."
People buy medicines at a pharmacy.
On 24th October, 2022, medicine companies and distributors called on the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce to buy medicines and distribute them to companies but the Rakhine State Administration Council has not responded to the request.
Medicine companies and distributors in Rakhine State are running out not only of over-the-counter medicines but also of TB and HIV medicines. Hospitals in Rakhine State are also running out of antibiotics.
The shortage of medicines has almost doubled the prices, Ma Mya Mya Thein, a local resident from Kyauktaw, told the CNI.
She said, "We are running out of medicines because transportation of them has been prohibited. Medicine prices have doubled. We have to pay MMK 1,000 for medicines which were available at MMK 500 in the past. We cannot give Tetanus vaccines to pregnant women. Transportation of all medicines have been prohibited completely including those for tuberculosis.
AA troops.
Authorities should permit transportation of medicines by classifying their groups for the well-being of the public, U Tin Aung Oo told the CNI.
He said, "There are over-the-counter medicines that are needed for everyone. There are medicines for children. So, authorities should classify medicines into groups, some of which can be transported into Rakhine State without restrictions while others may require permissions. Such measures will be convenient for the public as well as medicine companies and distributors.
Clashes are going on in Rakhine State between the Arakan Army and the military.
Therefore, authorities have imposed restrictions on travels between the southern and northern parts of Rakhine State and transportation of medicines.
