What is wrong with drug procurement?

The new Health Minister has been entrusted with an unwelcome legacy - the dearth of drugs at State hospitals. Arrangements have already been made to airlift some drugs that are in short supply. While it may be a solution to ease off the shortage at present, the problem requires more serious study before lasting solutions could be given.

Drug shortages in State hospitals have occurred on and off and from more recent times it has become a regular problem. The problem has become so acute in certain rural hospitals that shortage has become the rule and not the exception.

Obviously it is a problem of management. We have two State Corporations the Pharmaceutical Corporation and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation. These institutions taken together are responsible for the supply of drugs to the hospitals and dispensaries of the central government as well as of provincial administrations.

Apparently something is wrong in the administration of these institutions. It was not long ago that the media carried reports of corruption at the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation. It is the poor that suffer most due to the shortage of drugs. While the affluent could go to private hospitals or purchase the drugs from private pharmacies the poor find it beyond their means. That is why a continuous shortage is a cruel blow on the poor masses.

Every time a shortage occurs it has been the practice to find short-term solutions. No long-term solution has been found. The only thing that could be inferred is the utter inhumane nature of the officialdom.

There seems to be much to be desired in the supervision and monitoring of drug movements and supply chains. The detection of substandard or expired drugs in State hospitals, the sale of government drugs to friendly pharmacies by pharmacists, faulty methods of storing drugs are some of the shortcomings that have come to light on several occasions. Yet no regular system is in place to prevent such occurrences.

There is also unnecessary multiplicity of drugs under various brand names. It is high time to limit the number of drugs that are imported. In this respect it is better if the Senaka Bibile Commission recommendations on the use and import of drugs are implemented. Though lip service has been paid to the contribution of Dr Senaka Bibile there seems to be much resistance from various quarters including the multinational pharmaceutical lobby to its implementation.

There is a Drug Control Authority in place. Even in instances of importing sub-standard drugs the authority hardly explains how such incidents could take place. There are also allegations of expired drugs being used under new packaging. Whether true or not all allegations should be inquired into and public fears allayed. There are procedures laid down for procurement of drugs. Obviously they are either not respected or are outdated. If there are loopholes in the regulations that control drug supply they should be rectified at the earliest.

It is also essential to store the drugs in a suitable environment. Though such facilities are available in the main hospitals it is not known whether they are properly maintained or made use of. The people need guarantees that there is no negligence on the part of health workers.

Let the new Minister appoint a high level committee of experts to sort out the mess and recommend ways and means of ensuring an unhindered continuous supply of drugs at State hospitals and dispensaries.

Time management

Do Sri Lankans value time? The answer is yes and no.

Yes, because they do most of their important activities at an auspicious time. All important dates and actions in their life take place on auspicious days and at auspicious times. Even assuming work in one’s office now takes place at an auspicious time. So, astrologers and horoscope readers have a field day, especially with Ministers, their deputies, Chairmen of State institutions and even Secretaries of Ministries waiting for the auspicious time to sign ‘attendance’.

No, because when it comes to holidaying Sri Lankans would like to have the entire year for merry making. During April this year nearly a fortnight was lost due to holidays. The number of man days lost would have cost the economy a tidy sum. Late to sign in and early to sign out has become the practice at many public institutions.