There is also shortage of life-saving drugs and vaccines for patients with severe conditions. Relatives of patients admitted to hospitals are forced to visit nearby Indian pharmacies to buy medicines.Local pharmacists of Biratnagar say they are almost running out of medicine stocks as the import has not been possible. "We are not able to import medicines because of strikes and blockade. The scarcity is increasing every day," said Mahesh Prashad Dev, operator of a local pharmacy.
Another local pharmacist, Rakesh Raj Banshi, informed that shortage of tablets and medicines for children has been felt the most. "Few medicines have been reaching us from Kathmandu through air cargo. But we are not able to get medicines from Birgunj, which is the main reason for this acute shortage," he said.
"The government's free medicines also have not reached the district due to transportation problems caused by the recent fuel crisis," informed Bharat Shah, chairman of Biratnagar chapter of Eastern Regional Medical Stores.
Likewise, Dharan of Sunsari district, which has the highest stocks of medicines in the eastern region, is also gradually starting to face medicine crisis. Medicines kept stock at warehouses are gradually decreasing.
According to Dharan's entrepreneurs dealing with medicines, the district will soon face medicine crisis if the stocks are not replenished within a few days.
"There is a great shortage of saline water, injections and other essential medicines. Most of them have to be imported from India and the ongoing blockade has prevented that," said Subash Poudel, a pharmacy operator in Dharan-17.
According to a pharmacy run within the BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, essential medicines for gastroenteritis and antibiotic injections are getting scarcer day by day.
"Dharan has been keeping stock of the highest amount of medicine in the eastern region. Yet, medicine shortage has created fearful situation," said Sipi Datta, central committee member of Medicine Entrepreneurs' Association.
Meanwhile, acute shortage of medicines has also been felt in Siraha district. "The district has almost run out of medicines. There are hardly any medicines, including those being provided by the government, in village health posts," said Raj Bir Yadav, communications officer of the district.
Scarcity of vaccines for children including BCG, DPT and measles vaccines, among others, has rendered hundreds of children without vaccinations, according to the District Health Office, Siraha.
Similarly is the situation in Jhapa district.
According to medicine entrepreneurs, 40% demand for the medicines in Jhapa district and Mechi zone are fulfilled by domestic markets. The region is dependent on India for the remaining 60 % of medicine supplies. The unrest in Tarai has prevented smooth flow of medicines in the region.
"Birgunj is the gateway for medicine supply here. But the blockade and protests have hindered the supply," said Dhanpati Bara, a local pharmacist in Jhapa.
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