• Health Min. says hosp. purchase comms. not properly convened 
• Misconceptions that medicines only for in-ward patients/only from State pharmacies   

Even though hospital administrations have been instructed to purchase pharmaceutical drugs that are in short supply at such hospitals, in some such places, the process is hindered by certain administrative issues and misconceptions, the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said.

It was recently reported that the country is currently facing a shortage of over 200 types of drugs including Mixtard Insulin, a life-saving medication for diabetic patients.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, he explained that funds have already been provided to hospitals, allowing their directors to directly purchase drugs which are in short supply. However, in some institutions, he said that certain administrative delays have prevented timely purchases. "To facilitate this, hospitals are required to establish a particular committee, which should review the requirements and approve the purchases accordingly. However, in some hospitals, these committees are not properly convened. There’s also a misconception that hospitals can only buy medicines for patients admitted to wards. But, such purchases can also be made to provide drugs to patients visiting outpatient departments or clinics."

Dr. Wijemuni further said that hospitals are not restricted to purchasing drugs only from State-run pharmacies, and added that they are allowed to purchase from any registered pharmacy.

The country’s health sector faced a serious setback in recent years, primarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis. This crisis led to significant shortages of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment, which were later resolved to a considerable extent through foreign aid and economic recovery.