The Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association, specifically the Jalpaiguri Sadar Zone, has launched an initiative to establish night services in pharmacies on hospital grounds in Jalpaiguri. The initiative comes in response to the local community's concerns, since around 140 drug establishments, both wholesale and retail, close at night, making it difficult for residents to obtain medications.

The decision to give night services was made after meeting with Tamojit Chakraborty, the Jalpaiguri Sadar Sub-Divisional Officer. The Sub-Divisional Officer expressed satisfaction with the pharmaceutical traders association's decision and stated that a similar consideration will be made in Dhupguri for the benefit of the general population.

The town of Jalpaiguri, which has 32,000 houses in 25 wards and a population of approximately 2 lakhs, pushed the district administration to address the issue of limited access to medicines at night. Sandeep Mishra, Secretary of the Bengal Chemist and Druggist Association's Jalpaiguri Sadar Zone, revealed that following the discussion with the Sub-Divisional Officer, the organization decided to maintain a pharmacy open at night in the Super Specialty Hospital area.

Discussions are planned with the district health department to explore the idea of pharmacies in nursing homes providing outdoor services at night. Pharmacies at nursing homes currently provide indoor services at night, and future discussions will aim to expand outdoor services to the public.

The implementation of night services at pharmacies is set to begin in the first week of March. This program intends to ensure that Jalpaiguri residents have access to necessary pharmaceuticals even at night, when traditional drug stores are closed. The decision is part of a coordinated effort by the pharmaceutical association, local governments, and the health department to improve healthcare access in the region.

 (Input from various resources)

(Rehash/Susmita Bhandary/MSM)