Highlighting concerns over disruptions in the supply of essential medicines, the Retail Distribution Chemist Alliance (RDCA), Delhi, has written to City Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, seeking urgent policy intervention to allow round-the-clock movement of pharmaceutical supplies across Delhi.
In its representation, the association underlined that Delhi functions as a key healthcare hub, catering not only to its own population but also to patients from several neighbouring States. Any delay in the supply of medicines, it said, has a direct bearing on patient care, particularly in emergency and critical cases.
The RDCA pointed out that the current restrictions on vehicle movement and limited operational hours—typically between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.—are severely affecting the efficiency of pharmaceutical distribution. Given Delhi’s traffic congestion, a single trip across the city can take up to 60 to 90 minutes, significantly limiting the number of deliveries that can be completed within the stipulated time, it said.
“Pharmaceutical supply chains operate under time-sensitive conditions. A delivery vehicle is expected to serve multiple distributors across the city in a day, which becomes practically unfeasible under restricted hours,” said RDCA President Sandeep Nangia in the letter to Gupta.
The association further explained that most pharmaceutical companies operate through a central depot model, requiring vehicles to cover multiple destinations in a single route. Under current constraints, servicing 10 to 15 distributors in a day is proving difficult, leading to delays in the replenishment of stocks at retail and hospital levels.
The RDCA expressed particular concern over the delivery of emergency medicines and newly introduced vaccines, which often need to reach healthcare facilities within a short time frame. “In several cases, such deliveries are required multiple times a day. Any delay,” the RDCA warned, “could compromise timely treatment,” said Nangia.
Temperature-sensitive medicines, including vaccines and certain biologics, present an additional challenge. These products must be maintained within strict temperature ranges—typically between 2°C and 8°C or below 25°C. Prolonged transit times, especially during the summer months, increase the risk of temperature excursions, potentially affecting the efficacy of the drugs, said the RDCA.
Hospitals and nursing homes in the city have reportedly faced supply delays, which can disrupt treatment schedules. For critically ill patients, particularly those in intensive care units, timely access to medicines is often crucial.
The RDCA cautioned that interruptions in the pharmaceutical supply chain could lead to treatment gaps, delayed emergency response and, in some cases, a deterioration in patient outcomes. “Ensuring uninterrupted access to medicines is a fundamental component of public health,” the association emphasized.
In its appeal, the body also sought exemption from traffic restrictions for small and medium vehicles involved in medicine distribution.
Among other recommendations, the RDCA has called for formal recognition of pharmaceutical logistics as an “essential emergency healthcare service,” the creation of a green channel for priority movement of urgent and temperature-controlled supplies, and improved coordination with traffic authorities to minimize disruptions.
The association maintained that such measures would strengthen Delhi’s healthcare delivery system and ensure that patients receive timely access to life-saving therapies. It also noted that uninterrupted supply chains would help prevent losses arising from damage to temperature-sensitive products.
With Delhi continuing to face high patient inflow and increasing healthcare demands, stakeholders argued that policy attention to pharmaceutical logistics is both timely and necessary.
Stating that the issue directly impacts patient safety and the overall efficiency of the healthcare system, the RDCA has urged the Chief Minister to consider the request on priority.
