According to Jayesh Pandya of the Maharashtra State Chemist and Druggist Association, ongoing talks on withdrawal of octroi duty have led to a depletion of essential medicines. His office has been receiving calls asking for the present status of talks, he stated.

Vital drugs for conditions like dialysis, kidney, asthma, cardiac care, tuberculosis and malaria are reportedly out of stock, added Pandya. ``Due to the imposition of two per cent duty, chemists are unwilling to import stocks from outside the city which has led to the shortage,'' he added. And Mumbai being the largest redistribution centre for medicines in the state, the drug shortage is likely to hit other parts of Maharashtra as well.

The BMC was supposed to meet the chemists on Thursday, which was cancelled due to theheavy downpour. A special general body meting called by Mayor Nandu Satam has also been postponed, as most of the corporators failed to make it.

In the wake of floods that have ravaged parts of the state and Gujarat, the government should issue an ordinance to overrule the BMC's decision, he stated.