Hajj stampede: New tally shows at least 1,621 killed in the deadliest tragedy at the pilgrimage

Dubai:  The toll in the deadliest tragedy to ever strike the annual hajj pilgrimage rose on Wednesday as a new tally showed that at least 1,621 people were killed and hundreds still reportedly remain missing.

The Associated Press count is more than double Saudi Arabia's official tally of 769 killed and 934 injured in the 24 September disaster in Mina, a few miles from the holy city of Mecca. Saudi officials have not updated their tally since 26 September.
Officials in the Saudi health and interior ministries have not responded to recent AP requests for comment. On Sunday, Saudi Prince Turki al-Faisal rejected the idea of sharing the administration of the hajj with other Muslim nations, raised by regional rival Iran, saying Riyadh considers it both "a matter of sovereignty" and a "privilege."
The AP figure comes from state media reports and officials' comments from 19 of the over 180 countries that sent citizens to the five-day annual pilgrimage.
Iran says it had 465 pilgrims killed, while Egypt lost 182, Nigeria 168 and Indonesia 126.
Others include India with 114, Pakistan with 100, Bangladesh with 92, Mali with 70, Senegal with 54, Benin with 51, Cameroon with 42, Morocco with 33, Ethiopia with 31, Sudan with 30, Algeria with 25, Ghana with 12, Chad with 11, Kenya with eight and Turkey with seven.
A Saudi human rights activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said he believed the government was nervous over the sharp criticism it has faced.
"The way I see it is success goes to those in authority, and mistakes go to God's will," the activist said.
                     

Residents in the Tricity — especially patients — were inconvenienced as chemists remained closed on Wednesday. Chemist stores in hospitals and government pharmacies — that were functional — witnessed a rush as they were the only option for patients.
The move was in protest  against the Centre’s proposal to regularise the sale of medicines online. The strike call was given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Nearly 1,100 chemists and medicine wholesalers in the Tricity remained shut.
On Wednesday morning, around two dozen chemists began a protest rally from Sector 15 market in Chandigarh. The Centre’s proposal, if implemented, would not be beneficial to anyone, the protestors said.
The day-long strike caused inconvenience to the public, who had to travel long distances to purchase medicines.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajpura whose relative was admitted at PGI, was struggling to find medicines required for a minor surgery at the hospital. “I waited for half an hour in a queue at the PGI Chemist shop but I was informed that the medicine was not available,” he said.
Rajiv Shukla, a resident of Sector 28, said that he had to travel a long distance to get insulin for his ailing mother. “We forgot to buy insulin on Tuesday and since morning I was trying to find it,” he said. Shukla managed to get insulin at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.
Chemists at government hospitals said there was a rush of patients. Ashwani of the medical and surgical store at the GMSH Sector 16 told Chandigarh Newsline that the store received patients from several areas on Wednesday. “People came not only from the city, but also from Kharar, Mohali and other areas,” he said.
President of the Chandigarh Chemists association Vijay Anand said, “Allowing sale of medicines online would not only paralyse the present distribution chain of nearly eight lakh medicine dealers supplying drugs to a population of around 125 crore but will also prove dangerous to the health of the public,” said Anand. “The government should in fact crack down any kind of online sale of medicines as it raises the risk of misuse of drugs,” he said.
At present, as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, only registered pharmacists are permitted to sell drugs on production of a valid prescription. But the chemists say that government is considering bringing in changes in the Act – which would pave way for online sale of drugs.
Around 200 chemists and medicine wholesalers remained closed in Mohali. “There was a total shutdown by chemists in Mohali,” said Manmohan Singh Sagu, who is associated with Mohali District Chemist Association. “We are taking help of social media so the we can educate all the chemists about the proposal.”
Over 300 chemist shops remained closed in Panchkula. “We are in support of the protest, because it is unjust for the government to promote e-pharmacies at the cost of the general health of the people. Primarily, it is against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Information Technology Act, and secondly it will affect the direct interface of patients with chemists while the medicines are being given,” said B B Singhal, president, District Chemist Association, and key member of district unit of BJP.
President of the Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) Prashant Tandon, meanwhile, said IIPA would ensure that online pharmacies operate in the interests of the public, to deter ‘fly-by-night operators’ and compliance to the rules and regulations.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chemists-strike-hits-patients/#sthash.8PXuE8O5.dpuf

Residents in the Tricity — especially patients — were inconvenienced as chemists remained closed on Wednesday. Chemist stores in hospitals and government pharmacies — that were functional — witnessed a rush as they were the only option for patients.
The move was in protest  against the Centre’s proposal to regularise the sale of medicines online. The strike call was given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Nearly 1,100 chemists and medicine wholesalers in the Tricity remained shut.
On Wednesday morning, around two dozen chemists began a protest rally from Sector 15 market in Chandigarh. The Centre’s proposal, if implemented, would not be beneficial to anyone, the protestors said.
The day-long strike caused inconvenience to the public, who had to travel long distances to purchase medicines.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajpura whose relative was admitted at PGI, was struggling to find medicines required for a minor surgery at the hospital. “I waited for half an hour in a queue at the PGI Chemist shop but I was informed that the medicine was not available,” he said.
Rajiv Shukla, a resident of Sector 28, said that he had to travel a long distance to get insulin for his ailing mother. “We forgot to buy insulin on Tuesday and since morning I was trying to find it,” he said. Shukla managed to get insulin at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.
Chemists at government hospitals said there was a rush of patients. Ashwani of the medical and surgical store at the GMSH Sector 16 told Chandigarh Newsline that the store received patients from several areas on Wednesday. “People came not only from the city, but also from Kharar, Mohali and other areas,” he said.
President of the Chandigarh Chemists association Vijay Anand said, “Allowing sale of medicines online would not only paralyse the present distribution chain of nearly eight lakh medicine dealers supplying drugs to a population of around 125 crore but will also prove dangerous to the health of the public,” said Anand. “The government should in fact crack down any kind of online sale of medicines as it raises the risk of misuse of drugs,” he said.
At present, as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, only registered pharmacists are permitted to sell drugs on production of a valid prescription. But the chemists say that government is considering bringing in changes in the Act – which would pave way for online sale of drugs.
Around 200 chemists and medicine wholesalers remained closed in Mohali. “There was a total shutdown by chemists in Mohali,” said Manmohan Singh Sagu, who is associated with Mohali District Chemist Association. “We are taking help of social media so the we can educate all the chemists about the proposal.”
Over 300 chemist shops remained closed in Panchkula. “We are in support of the protest, because it is unjust for the government to promote e-pharmacies at the cost of the general health of the people. Primarily, it is against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Information Technology Act, and secondly it will affect the direct interface of patients with chemists while the medicines are being given,” said B B Singhal, president, District Chemist Association, and key member of district unit of BJP.
President of the Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) Prashant Tandon, meanwhile, said IIPA would ensure that online pharmacies operate in the interests of the public, to deter ‘fly-by-night operators’ and compliance to the rules and regulations.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chemists-strike-hits-patients/#sthash.8PXuE8O5.dpuf

Residents in the Tricity — especially patients — were inconvenienced as chemists remained closed on Wednesday. Chemist stores in hospitals and government pharmacies — that were functional — witnessed a rush as they were the only option for patients. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chemists-strike-hits-patients/#sthash.8PXuE8O5.dpuf

Residents in the Tricity — especially patients — were inconvenienced as chemists remained closed on Wednesday. Chemist stores in hospitals and government pharmacies — that were functional — witnessed a rush as they were the only option for patients.
The move was in protest  against the Centre’s proposal to regularise the sale of medicines online. The strike call was given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Nearly 1,100 chemists and medicine wholesalers in the Tricity remained shut.
On Wednesday morning, around two dozen chemists began a protest rally from Sector 15 market in Chandigarh. The Centre’s proposal, if implemented, would not be beneficial to anyone, the protestors said.
The day-long strike caused inconvenience to the public, who had to travel long distances to purchase medicines.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajpura whose relative was admitted at PGI, was struggling to find medicines required for a minor surgery at the hospital. “I waited for half an hour in a queue at the PGI Chemist shop but I was informed that the medicine was not available,” he said.
Rajiv Shukla, a resident of Sector 28, said that he had to travel a long distance to get insulin for his ailing mother. “We forgot to buy insulin on Tuesday and since morning I was trying to find it,” he said. Shukla managed to get insulin at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.
Chemists at government hospitals said there was a rush of patients. Ashwani of the medical and surgical store at the GMSH Sector 16 told Chandigarh Newsline that the store received patients from several areas on Wednesday. “People came not only from the city, but also from Kharar, Mohali and other areas,” he said.
President of the Chandigarh Chemists association Vijay Anand said, “Allowing sale of medicines online would not only paralyse the present distribution chain of nearly eight lakh medicine dealers supplying drugs to a population of around 125 crore but will also prove dangerous to the health of the public,” said Anand. “The government should in fact crack down any kind of online sale of medicines as it raises the risk of misuse of drugs,” he said.
At present, as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, only registered pharmacists are permitted to sell drugs on production of a valid prescription. But the chemists say that government is considering bringing in changes in the Act – which would pave way for online sale of drugs.
Around 200 chemists and medicine wholesalers remained closed in Mohali. “There was a total shutdown by chemists in Mohali,” said Manmohan Singh Sagu, who is associated with Mohali District Chemist Association. “We are taking help of social media so the we can educate all the chemists about the proposal.”
Over 300 chemist shops remained closed in Panchkula. “We are in support of the protest, because it is unjust for the government to promote e-pharmacies at the cost of the general health of the people. Primarily, it is against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Information Technology Act, and secondly it will affect the direct interface of patients with chemists while the medicines are being given,” said B B Singhal, president, District Chemist Association, and key member of district unit of BJP.
President of the Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) Prashant Tandon, meanwhile, said IIPA would ensure that online pharmacies operate in the interests of the public, to deter ‘fly-by-night operators’ and compliance to the rules and regulations.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chemists-strike-hits-patients/#sthash.8PXuE8O5.dpuf

Residents in the Tricity — especially patients — were inconvenienced as chemists remained closed on Wednesday. Chemist stores in hospitals and government pharmacies — that were functional — witnessed a rush as they were the only option for patients.
The move was in protest  against the Centre’s proposal to regularise the sale of medicines online. The strike call was given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Nearly 1,100 chemists and medicine wholesalers in the Tricity remained shut.
On Wednesday morning, around two dozen chemists began a protest rally from Sector 15 market in Chandigarh. The Centre’s proposal, if implemented, would not be beneficial to anyone, the protestors said.
The day-long strike caused inconvenience to the public, who had to travel long distances to purchase medicines.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajpura whose relative was admitted at PGI, was struggling to find medicines required for a minor surgery at the hospital. “I waited for half an hour in a queue at the PGI Chemist shop but I was informed that the medicine was not available,” he said.
Rajiv Shukla, a resident of Sector 28, said that he had to travel a long distance to get insulin for his ailing mother. “We forgot to buy insulin on Tuesday and since morning I was trying to find it,” he said. Shukla managed to get insulin at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.
Chemists at government hospitals said there was a rush of patients. Ashwani of the medical and surgical store at the GMSH Sector 16 told Chandigarh Newsline that the store received patients from several areas on Wednesday. “People came not only from the city, but also from Kharar, Mohali and other areas,” he said.
President of the Chandigarh Chemists association Vijay Anand said, “Allowing sale of medicines online would not only paralyse the present distribution chain of nearly eight lakh medicine dealers supplying drugs to a population of around 125 crore but will also prove dangerous to the health of the public,” said Anand. “The government should in fact crack down any kind of online sale of medicines as it raises the risk of misuse of drugs,” he said.
At present, as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, only registered pharmacists are permitted to sell drugs on production of a valid prescription. But the chemists say that government is considering bringing in changes in the Act – which would pave way for online sale of drugs.
Around 200 chemists and medicine wholesalers remained closed in Mohali. “There was a total shutdown by chemists in Mohali,” said Manmohan Singh Sagu, who is associated with Mohali District Chemist Association. “We are taking help of social media so the we can educate all the chemists about the proposal.”
Over 300 chemist shops remained closed in Panchkula. “We are in support of the protest, because it is unjust for the government to promote e-pharmacies at the cost of the general health of the people. Primarily, it is against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Information Technology Act, and secondly it will affect the direct interface of patients with chemists while the medicines are being given,” said B B Singhal, president, District Chemist Association, and key member of district unit of BJP.
President of the Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) Prashant Tandon, meanwhile, said IIPA would ensure that online pharmacies operate in the interests of the public, to deter ‘fly-by-night operators’ and compliance to the rules and regulations.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chemists-strike-hits-patients/#sthash.8PXuE8O5.dpuf

Residents in the Tricity — especially patients — were inconvenienced as chemists remained closed on Wednesday. Chemist stores in hospitals and government pharmacies — that were functional — witnessed a rush as they were the only option for patients.
The move was in protest  against the Centre’s proposal to regularise the sale of medicines online. The strike call was given by the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD). Nearly 1,100 chemists and medicine wholesalers in the Tricity remained shut.
On Wednesday morning, around two dozen chemists began a protest rally from Sector 15 market in Chandigarh. The Centre’s proposal, if implemented, would not be beneficial to anyone, the protestors said.
The day-long strike caused inconvenience to the public, who had to travel long distances to purchase medicines.
Anil Kumar, a resident of Rajpura whose relative was admitted at PGI, was struggling to find medicines required for a minor surgery at the hospital. “I waited for half an hour in a queue at the PGI Chemist shop but I was informed that the medicine was not available,” he said.
Rajiv Shukla, a resident of Sector 28, said that he had to travel a long distance to get insulin for his ailing mother. “We forgot to buy insulin on Tuesday and since morning I was trying to find it,” he said. Shukla managed to get insulin at Government Multi Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.
Chemists at government hospitals said there was a rush of patients. Ashwani of the medical and surgical store at the GMSH Sector 16 told Chandigarh Newsline that the store received patients from several areas on Wednesday. “People came not only from the city, but also from Kharar, Mohali and other areas,” he said.
President of the Chandigarh Chemists association Vijay Anand said, “Allowing sale of medicines online would not only paralyse the present distribution chain of nearly eight lakh medicine dealers supplying drugs to a population of around 125 crore but will also prove dangerous to the health of the public,” said Anand. “The government should in fact crack down any kind of online sale of medicines as it raises the risk of misuse of drugs,” he said.
At present, as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, only registered pharmacists are permitted to sell drugs on production of a valid prescription. But the chemists say that government is considering bringing in changes in the Act – which would pave way for online sale of drugs.
Around 200 chemists and medicine wholesalers remained closed in Mohali. “There was a total shutdown by chemists in Mohali,” said Manmohan Singh Sagu, who is associated with Mohali District Chemist Association. “We are taking help of social media so the we can educate all the chemists about the proposal.”
Over 300 chemist shops remained closed in Panchkula. “We are in support of the protest, because it is unjust for the government to promote e-pharmacies at the cost of the general health of the people. Primarily, it is against the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Information Technology Act, and secondly it will affect the direct interface of patients with chemists while the medicines are being given,” said B B Singhal, president, District Chemist Association, and key member of district unit of BJP.
President of the Indian Internet Pharmacy Association (IIPA) Prashant Tandon, meanwhile, said IIPA would ensure that online pharmacies operate in the interests of the public, to deter ‘fly-by-night operators’ and compliance to the rules and regulations.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/chemists-strike-hits-patients/#sthash.8PXuE8O5.dpuf