Supplies of medicine is becoming a huge menace right now: A Delhi pharmacist | PTI photo for representation

Medical shops in Delhi stare at big problem as stock of medical supplies run dry amid novel coronavirus lockdown in the country.

The scarce supplies are hitting the patients the most.

Medicines were listed as essential items by the Centre but it seems authorities are failing to fulfil the their promises to the people.

Pharmacist Arjun has a shop in Bengali Market. He said, "We are not getting enough supplies from the distributors. Many patients, who came to buy life saving drugs, now return home empty-handed."

Another Pharmacist said, "Supplies of medicine is becoming a huge menace right now. Even the distributors are out of stock let alone be the retailers."

CRUMBLING SUPPLY

The scarce supplies of medicines is not a problem just in Delhi but even in the National Capital Region (NCR), apart from neighbouring states like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The biggest market of drugs -- Bhagirath Palace -- has been shut since the lockdown, and it has been wreaking havoc on the medical supplies to the pharmacies.

What came as some relief was that Bhagirath Palace was functional on Friday after shop owners had arranged for passes there.

Bobby Raghav, treasurer of Delhi Drugs Traders Association told India Today, "After several rounds of meeting with senior officials of the Delhi Police, we have started getting curfew passes but the supply of medicines will return to normal once the transportation system is back on track. Our association has gotten passes for a few vehicles that are being sanitised for delivery of medicines."

The curfew passes issued by the police will be valid upto March 31.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said, "There are many wholesale suppliers of medical consumables, equipment and medicines in Bhagirath Palace. These had been closed due to lockdown. These will open from Friday."

The promise made by CM Kejriwal to resolve the issue was partially delivered but it may take a few more days to revive the supply of medicines in the market.

Another challenge which the pharmacy owners are facing is supply of medicines from the distributors as transporters are not being allowed to ply on roads due to the lockdown.

Owner of Sai Medicos told India Today, "We buy medicines directly from distributors as at Bhagirath Palace, they have increased rates of medicines. Even surgical masks and sanitisers are being sold at very high rates after the lockdown due to which it's impossible for us to buy, and then sell to consumers."