Health sector trade unions last week alleged that the Government had cut down the quantity of prescribed medication issued by health clinics at State hospitals, inconveniencing patients who now have to make frequent visits to hospitals in search of medication.
Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Executive Committee Member Dr. Prasad Colombage told The Sunday Morning that clinics at State hospitals usually issued a full month’s prescription of medication to patients suffering from Non-Communicable Diseases.
However, given the shortage of medicines felt across the country over the last few months, the quantity had initially been cut down to two weeks and later to one week.
“In some clinics patients are now being asked to buy medicines from private pharmacies since there are no stocks available at State hospitals,” he stressed, adding that as a result, patients had to make frequent visits to hospitals. “Earlier they came only once a month but now most have to come every week,” Dr. Colombage said.
He explained that drug shortages were prevalent in most hospitals, with some drugs in short supply and others out of stock. “The shortages are prevalent and hospitals don’t have healthy buffer stocks of most drugs,” he said.
However, The Sunday Morning learns that State clinics have asked most patients to buy medicines from outside pharmacies, where the drugs are sold at higher prices.
The All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (AIPPOA) President Chandika Gankanda confirmed that the lowest-priced drugs were sold by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), but with 80% of drugs now being out of stock, patients were avoiding medication.
“Some people are making frequent visits to pharmacies to purchase medicines every other day based on what they can afford,” he stressed.
Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandrapugtha, speaking to The Sunday Morning, denied the allegations and said that the prevailing shortages would be sorted out within the next two months.
“We have not cut down any quantity. Orders have been placed and bills are being settled, so we hope the shortages will be sorted out soon,” he added.
– By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
Health crisis: Prescribed medication cut?
25 Sep 2022
Health crisis: Prescribed medication cut?
25 Sep 2022
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