Industrial Area residents seek 24-hour pharmacy

By Ramesh Mathew

Staff Reporter

Doha’s sprawling Industrial Area may be home to a large number of workers, but the place does not have a single pharmacy that operates round the clock, say residents.

They point out that though the place houses a large number of establishments, including eateries, and new residential accommodations, no 24-hour pharmacy can be found in the entire area.

While those running pharmacies concede that the Industrial Area does need one or two such facilities, which remain open 24 hours, due to the significant growth in its population over the last four-five years, no one has come forward yet to start one there.

Some people living in the neighbourhood of Al Attiyah Market, the main business centre in the area, said some medical shops work until midnight.

“We have to go to places outside the Industrial Area if there is an emergency,” said a resident who runs a workshop in the area. He explained that a number of industrial establishments function round the clock in the area, and this is also why the place needs a 24-hour pharmacy. Similar responses came from some food companies’ operators.

Besides some locations in Doha, including Al Hilal, there are 24-hour pharmacies in Rayyan, Muaither, Al Wakrah, Al Khor and Duhail.

When contacted recently, a pharmaceutical company operator said they could consider launching a 24-hour pharmacy in the Industrial Area.

“I think there is a need for a 24-hour pharmacy in the Industrial Area as it is perhaps the only place in the country that remains awake through the night,” he said.

However, in view of strict procedures (for opening a new outlet), one needs to wait for at least six-seven months for the mandatory formalities to be completed, he pointed out.