Sir: Thyroxine tablets are in short supply in Pakistan, not because of any production issue but owing to the policy of hoardings and blackmailing of the pharmaceutical companies. Patients suffering from Thyroid malfunction have to take this medicine daily on an empty stomach. The unavailability of such an important medicine shows the apathy of our health sector. Resorting to a foreign brand is not easy for everyone; it costs twenty times more than the locally manufactured product. Is there anyone to care for the poor who might need this medicine and could probably be dying for the lack of it? MRS MAHMUDA KHANUMKarachi