Pharmacies to remain open 24 hrs: Health minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has declared that the pharmacies will remain open round the clock in the capital.

He made the remark while replying to queries from reporters at an event on health education at the secretariat on Thursday.

If the Dhaka city corporations said anything in this regard, the issue would be settled through discussions, he added.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) earlier declared that the pharmacies in the city will shut at 12:00am while the hospital pharmacies are allowed to operate until 2:00am.

The DSCC move triggered a huge public outcry on social media.

The reporters asked the health minister about the government stance in this regard on Thursday.

He categorically stated that no directive had been issued from the government fixing timeframe for operating pharmacies.

Zahid Maleque also said the city corporation made the declaration without any consultation. The pharmacies need to operate round the clock.

He has already instructed the officials concerned to settle the issue through discussions.