Kathmandu, May 22

Demanding that the government provide proof that it took 2,200 percent profit from medicines, Medicine Importers Association began a strike from today.

Leading the rally from New Baneshwor to Maitighar Mandala, the Association demanded protection for the existence of medicine importers. MIA will give a memorandum to the health ministry.

According to Pawan Acharya, secretary of Medicine Importers Association, medicine importers has been providing medicine to all rural and urban area even during the crisis period, but the ministry, instead of rewarding, is trying to remove us from the country. He said, “We have been providing employment opportunity to many people along with service, but the health ministry is charging us of profiteering.”

He said, MIA has been providing WHO GMA certified medicines at affordable prices, but the government has blamed the association without any evidence. “We want proof that we have taken more than 2,200 per cent profit in a medicine and also want positive response from the government otherwise we will continue our strike.

Similarly, Shankar Ghimire, president of Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal informed that he was unaware about the 2,200 per cent profit taken by Medicine Importers Association. He said that no decision should be taken without knowing the fact.

During an APPON press meet, Shankar informed that Nepal can produce 72 kinds of medicines and can cover 40 per cent demand of the public. The government has plan to ban import of 34 kinds of medicine.

“We do have the ability to make medicines inside the country. This can help us become self-dependent. The government has failed to formulate a medicine policy. A policy is therefore needed so that we can produce the necessary medicines by ourselves.”