No drug shortage - Health Ministry

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Medical Supply Division of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has distributed 39 life saving drugs among the State hospitals. Accordingly there is no drug shortage in State hospitals, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman the drugs include several injections. They are Meropanum 01g injection, Vancomycine 500 mg injection, Glyceryl Triniterate 05mg injection, Hydralazine 200mg/01ml injection, Folinic acid injection, Telcoplanine 200 mg injection and Ifosphamide 01g injection.

Oxytocine 500 mg, thyroxine 100 mg tablets, Amiodarone, Dobutamine 250 mg, Dopamine 200 mg, Enoxaperin 60 mg, Cephalexin 250 mg capsules, Atovastatin 10 mg, Cefutoxime Sodium 750 mg, Adrenaline 01 mg, Ampiciline 250 mg, Cloxacilin 250 mg, Clarithromicine 250 mg tablets, Cyclosporine 25 mg capsules, Clopidogrel 75 mg tablets and many other life saving drugs were among them, the spokesman said.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva ordered officials to maintain a smooth and uninterrupted communication with the hospital authorities to prevent any future artificial drug shortages in State hospitals which is the only place where people can obtain drugs free of charge.