Drug shortages? Inform Medical Supplies Division

by Carol Aloysius

" The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Health Ministry has sufficient stocks of essential drugs . Hospitals must inform us before they run out of stocks", Director MSD, Dr Kamal Jayasinghe told the Sunday Observer.

He however admits to shortages of certain drugs like paracetamol and TNT tablets as well as gauze and elasto plast which he says are now rectified. Questioned on complaints this week of the non availability of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation ( SPC) TNT tablet sold at Rs 2/- as against Rs 8/50 per tablet if obtained privately, he said, " as the country's largest medical drug importer, the SPC is able to charge low prices on bulk quantities which are shipped rather than air freighted.

If the SPC is unable to supply these drugs due to import delays or quality failure , and the situation calls for an immediate replacement , the Health Ministry will obtain them from private dealers after paying the price prevailing at the time to private supplies,till stocks from the SPC arrive. However, patients from state hospital OPD's will receive these drugs free despite the additional expense incurred by the Ministry".

He added that most shortages in hospitals especially in the peripheries were due to the MDS not being informed early of their requirements..

Director National Hospital, Colombo , Dr Anil Jayasinghe said there were no shortages of drugs at present.- CA