Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) allowed three pharmacies adjacent to the Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) to operate 24 hours, amid the recent steps taken to save power.
DS Pharmacy, Apu Enterprise, and Khan Jahan Ali Pharmacy got the approval after they filed a written application to the DSCC on Thursday.
Farid Ahmad, chief executive officer at DSCC, said: “Everyone is responding to the initiatives taken by the mayor to ensure THE smooth management of Dhaka city. In continuation of this, three pharmacies got approval to operate 24 hours.”
DMCH Bahumukhi Samabay Samity Limited wrote a letter and DSCC responded quickly to their request, considering the recent necessities, he added.
Thus, for those who would apply properly, DSCC would give them permissions within a day, he added.
DSCC has recently ordered that general medicine stores in Dhaka will close by midnight, while pharmacies attached to hospitals must close by 2am.
Since then, there has been widespread criticism regarding the issue.
On August 15, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said that drug stores will remain open 24 hours a day.
He said the ministry did not provide any directive to close down the drug stores.
Later, DSCC Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said: “Of course, medicine is an essential item. Considering this, we have allowed them to keep the stores open for the maximum hours.”
It is important that hospitals are stocked with essential medicines, and that is why they were directed to remain open till 2am, he added.
“I think it’s reasonable. If any hospital authority wants to keep the stores open till late, they can apply and we will consider it,” Taposh noted.
DSCC also ordered to close all kitchen markets, restaurants and business establishments by 10pm from Thursday.
