Abul Kashem used to run a sweet shop in New Eskaton in the capital. But Corona pushed that business. So at the end of last year, he closed the sweet shop and opened a drug store called ‘Islamia Pharmacy’. Abul Kashem told Prothom Alo, “The sweet business was losing money. So I left the sweet business and went into the drug business. ‘

Due to Corona, small and big businesses in the country have been hit hard. Unable to bear the loss, many have closed down their businesses. Some have turned to new businesses to survive. Abul Kashem is one of them. During Corona, most businesses were closed due to government restrictions, but drug stores were open 24 hours a day. That is why drug pharmacies have sprung up in different parts of the country, including the capital, starting from super shops to grocery stores. In other words, many drug stores have sprung up in Corona overnight across the country.
More than 50 drug stores within a kilometer and a half from the capital Jigatala bus stand to the Tannery junction. Talking to local shopkeepers, it is learned that 25 percent of these shops have been built in the last two years, during the Corona period. This road was once a branch of Supershop Meena Bazar. It was closed in Corona and a drug store was set up there. Recently I spoke to Mizanur Rahman, the owner of Mahin Pharmacy at Tannery Junction. He said in the first light, ‘Sales in Corona were quite good. Gone are the days, I sold drugs worth one lakh rupees a day. Due to this, the number of drug stores in this area has increased in the last two years. But now the trade is less. ‘
The number of pharmacies has increased not only in cities but also in villages. Old businessmen, as well as young people, are now leaning towards this business. There were three drug stores in the Sundarbans market of Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira. In the last two years, two new pharmacies have been launched there. Touhid Hasan started a drug store in this market four months ago. He said in the first light, “I saw the business of pharmacy doing well during Corona and I got involved in this business anew.