Lucknow: Amid rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in the city, oximeters and several other medicines used for preventing chronic illness and boosting immunity have exhausted in several prominent medical shops in the city due to rise in demand.

TOI in its reality check visited medical stores in some areas including Niralanagar, Aliganj, Nishatganj, Daliganj and Aminabaad to find out about the availability of medicines in these units. Of eight shops TOI visited, none of the medical stores had oximeters. However, nasal pipes were available in all units.

In Niralanagar, stocks of some essential medicines like paracetamol, medrol and even Vitamin-C tablets had exhausted for past one and a half day. “Due to the fear amongst people that medicines will not be available later, customers are purchasing in bulks. Stock of some medicines was over on Thursday morning, we have placed the order and all these medicines will be available from tonight,” said Sujeet Ahuja a medical shop owner near IT Chauraha.

A similar situation was found in Aliganj Sec-L. “I wanted to purchase an oximeter to keep a check at my mothers oxygen level. However, it is not available anywhere in Aliganj. I have checked atleast six medical stores, now i will need to order that online, but it will also take three days to deliver,” said Guneet Singh resident Aliganj.

Manas Taneja buyer at a Nishtaganj medical store said, “My younger sister is showing mild symptoms of Covid-19, so I came here to purchase fabiflu for her. But, the medicine is not available here, so i thought to purchase ivermectin, but it turns out that the medicine is also out of stock.”