Hospital drug shortage:

Minister comes up with solution

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has made it compulsory for monthly meetings of Drug Review Committees at all main hospitals to check on drug shortages, ministry Additional Secretary Palitha Maheepala said.

He said certain hospitals complain about drug shortages due to pharmacists' failure to have a proper estimation of the drug requirements at the hospitals.

"It is necessary to have monthly drug review meetings to carry out these estimates properly," Maheepala said. "Since a majority of hospitals do not conduct drug review meetings, they send old estimates and the Medical Supplies Division issue drugs according to these old estimates," he said.

"Drug shortages are inevitable at these hospitals due to this reason and it takes time to make up for the shortfall that involves calling for tenders.

Drugs cannot be kept in stores for a long period. Most drugs are produced after they are ordered. So, there is a possibility of a shortage during that period. Due to the carelessness of hospital authorities, the Health Ministry has to face a lot of difficulties," the additional secretary said . He said if the authorities fail to conduct drug review meetings, the ministry will have to purchase drugs by spending a large amount of money to fill the shortage.