Jharkhand is facing scarcity of life saving drugs as most companies have stopped supply citing 'anomalies' in the Value Added Tax (VAT) system implemented since April 1. 'The companies have withdrawn the supply of drugs due to confusion over the VAT', said Deepak Sinha, a chemist.
The shortage has put patients in a difficult situation as medicines for heart ailments, blood pressure and diabetes are out of stock. The patients are getting medicines from neighbouring states.The Jharkhand Chemist and Druggist Association (JCDA) has given a strike call from April 17 if the state government fails to rectify the anomalies in the VAT. They are opposing imposition of VAT at multiple points.
--Edited IANS
