Expert consultation to ease drug shortage

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the Government's annual budgetary allocation of Rs. 80,000 million on health services will be used in future in consultation with experts in the health field.

"When consultations are made with the relevant authorities including medical specialists health sector officials, doctors and Health Department employees, health sector trade union members and other responsible persons on the need for essential drugs, there will be no shortage of medicines in hospitals". He said that as a result nobody could complain against the Health Department or the Government for the shortage of essential drugs now prevailing in many Government hospitals.

"Although the Ministry spends a colossal sum of money on essential drugs, there are still drug shortages in some hospitals in the country,".

The Minister said that the present drug shortage will ease within the next few months.

Minister Sirisena also said a Special Committee and a Consultative Council have already been appointed to seek views, suggestions and proposals to improve the health service in the country.

Referring to the 18 tonnes of saline, imported last week from India, Minister Sirisena said that arrangements have already been made to purchase another 97 varieties of essential drugs from either India or any other country within two weeks.