SCARCITY OF DRUGS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 249, 12 July 1915, Page 3

SCARCITY OF DRUGS.

SOME LINES UNPROCURABLE. From the latest advice received from London, it appears that certain drugs in general and increasing demand are becoming- harder and harder to procure. This is especially the cat withi asper-in, which has ad\ancc-o. c •M.sid'erably in price, but the London chemists are unable to cope with the deniand. Soon after the commencement of the war, the American manufacturers saw their opportunity to secure a firmer footing in supplying drugs that wore formerly procured from the Continent of Europe, and cons-equently the wholesale manufacturing cbeniists doubled, and in some instances trebled, their output; but still the demand has not been met. Largo repeat orders were forwarded to America,with ■< the result that the market has been j depleted of asperin, and the cost of | this drug will probably reach a much ! higher figure Antipyrin, which was formerly purchased on the Continent, is another drug that has advanced in price, at the present time there is non e offering on the London market. The almost universal household medicine, Epsom salts, is likely to rise considerably in price, as well as Glauber salts. This will chiefly be brought about by the action of the British Government in commandeering several of the sulphuric acid works. The salts referred to are by-products from these works, and as they are being put to other uses by the Government authorities, the demand will not be kept pace with in the near future. The cod fishing season opened promisingly, and some fine catches were reported. Later, the catches continued ot be of a satisfactory nature, but it was discovered that the livers of the fish were very thin, and consequently the production of oil fell in proportion. There was a heavy demand for the oil in Norway and prices rose above normal. The factor that was the main cause for tins was the heavy operations en the market by Germany, the oil beta? required for 'She manufacture of glycerine, which is wanted for the m.ir.n rh-ctrr« of cccpiosies. During the laf.f few days there ha? been some fairly

heavy purchases of glycerine on tli<= market, in anticipation cf ;i fur-' *ber ri-e in price. Now that Antral'n ' n RB decided to manufacture munition? cf war, a r.tee In the price of glycerin? may be expected, hut to what oxt«ml cannot at present be foreshadowed. Generally, there is a decided tendency for the price of drugs to advance still higher, mainly on account of the difficulty of production; but there is another fact that plays an important part. and that is the scarcity of qualified chemists. Since the commencement of the war, a large number of chemists have relinquished thier employment with the manufacturers and arc at present engaged in more important work elsewhere.