HYDERABAD: All the pharmacies and pharmaceutical associations across the city have been directed to maintain record of persons purchasing drugs for fever, cold and cough. The step is being taken keeping in mind that several symptomatic people are not coming forward to get tested for Covid-19, said civic administrators.
The municipal administration department has asked all the additional collectors, municipal commissioners, zonal commissioners and deputy municipal commissioner to hold a meeting with pharmacies and their associations, and brief them about the issue.
Municipal administration principal secretary Arvind Kumar said the medical shop owners have to keep record the name, phone number and address of those who come to buy medicines for ailments such as fever, cold and cough.
“The shop owners should also handover the list to the respective commissioners. In the suspected cases, tests should be done. The medical shop owners should also enlighten the people coming to buy medicines on the Covid 19 and how it will benefit if the tests are done,” the principal secretary said.
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Official sources said the government has been adopting multi-pronged approach to contain the spread of the virus in the state.
“Due to some level of hesitation and perceived social stigma, many people suffering from fever, cough, cold and other symptoms similar to Covid 19 are taking medicines on their own,” a senior official of the municipal administration said.
Officials said that this is an important step in identifying cases at a nascent stage and preventing further spread. They said the this will aid the government in fighting the pandemic.
