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.
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