Pharmacies in the Corporate Area, and several islandwide, have assured that adequate supplies of malarial drugs are in their dispensary.

Norman Dunn, president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica, told The Gleaner that the prescribed drugs are widely available throughout Kingston and St. Andrew.

"This is one of the main reasons why the Ministry of Health can report that 75 per cent of the cases have been treated," he said.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Mr. Dunn said there are about four major local suppliers of the drugs to treat malaria. Suppliers he listed were H.D. Hopwood, Facey Commodity, CARI-MED and Lasco, all having branches in the Corporate Area. He noted that last week, a few distributors were running low in stock but orders were made.

Adequate supplies

"They were expecting a demand and so they got more drugs on the weekend for this week's sales. So all distributors now have adequate stock," said Mr. Dunn. "Even if confirmed cases should reach 100, we would have enough in stock," he said.

Currently there are 61 confirmed cases of persons infected with the disease.

The president also told The Gleaner that his checks with several pharmacies islandwide revealed that there is an adequate supply of mosquito repellants.

"Some pharmacies have also set up a counter close to the entrance of their establishment dedicated to mosquito repellants and bulletins about malaria," he said.

Mr. Dunn noted that shoppers are very conscious of what is happening and are purchasing the necessary items needed to ward off the disease.

"Pharmacies have also become very proactive in the prevention and treatment of malaria. Hence, we are very optimistic that this local outbreak will pass very soon," added Mr. Dunn.