Medicines started reaching stores on Thursday following the state government’s effort to bring wholesalers, dealers, distributors, clearing agents and retailers on the same page through a WhatsApp group.

“Medicine shops in Calcutta and adjoining areas started getting their supplies on Thursday morning after some pharma companies nudged their clearing agents to ensure that the stock lying in godowns reach retailers,” a government official said.

Retailers said the supply fell far short of the demand but they could at least keep their shops open.

“I am somehow being able to manage as supplies have started,” said Subir Sen of Garia Medical Agency. “But the situation is yet to be normal. Demand for medicines continues to be high.”

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had on March 28 met a few representatives of Bagree Market, a wholesale hub for medicines in the city, to understand what was preventing drugs from reaching retailers.

The next day, officials of the health department called representatives of the industry — including wholesalers, distributors, clearing agents and those running medicine shop chains — to a meeting.

Sources said health secretary Vivek Kumar had chaired the meeting.

At the end of the meeting, a WhatsApp group was created with representatives of various sections of the industry. An official was designated as chief coordinator of the group.

The meeting decided that if a truck ferrying medicines got stuck, the health department would coordinate with police and try to find a way to get the vehicle moving.

Since then, suppliers and distributors have been in regular touch with one another to find a way to keep the supply chain moving.

Clearing agents are a vital cog in the chain. Medicines from manufacturers reach clearing agents designated by them.

The agents send medicines to wholesalers — located mostly at Bagree Market and Mehta Building in central Calcutta — from where supplies reach retail outlets.

“Clearing agents have had to hire labourers and arrange accommodation for them in godowns to ensure supply of medicines. This is remarkable and would not have been possible without the state government’s support,” said Sankha Roychowdhury, the president of the Bengal Chemist and Druggist Association. “It’s a collective effort and all of us are trying to join hands.”