Shortage of drugs hits many T.N. govt. hospitals

Antibiotics top the list; hospitals are managing with local purchases

Many government hospitals in Tamil Nadu are facing a shortage of drugs, particularly antibiotics. As supplies are disrupted, hospitals, especially government medical college hospitals, are able to manage by making local purchases through funds generated under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS).

Inquiries confirmed a shortage of a number of drugs, with antibiotics topping the list. Sources in the Health Department confirmed that the issue of Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) not getting adequate drugs was raised during the meeting of hospital deans with Health Minister Ma. Subramanian recently. When procurement issues arise, the TNMSC, which is the nodal agency for procurement and distribution of drugs for government hospitals, issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for hospitals to make local procurement of drugs. Several government doctors pointed out that many of their drug needs were being managed through these local purchases.

Pointing to one such NOC issued on June 3, a physician in Chennai said, on condition of anonymity, that most medicines on the list were very essential. “The shortage of drugs still persists. Small quantities are supplied at times, but used up quickly. Some of the drugs that are in short supply are Ciprofloxcin, Furosemide, Omeprazole, Clopidogrel, Ceftriaxone and Cefotaxime. Antibiotics and IV fluids, as well as essential but sparsely used drugs, are in short supply,” he said.

Another doctor said there was a shortage of injections – Paracetamol, Diclofenac, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Benzathine Penicillin, the tablets Diclofenac and Folic Acid, the syrup Amoxycillin, and NS IV infusion 100 ml.

A doctor in Madurai said supply from TNMSC was disrupted, and they were managing through local purchases. “Fund generated under CMCHIS is our only source, as of now,” he said.

Another doctor in Tiruchi said that usually, issues in drug supply cropped up in February, and were resolved by March. “But this year, we have reached August, and we are still facing issues. Routine drugs are available, but higher antibiotics are not. We are using funds under CMCHIS to purchase the drugs, or asking patients to buy [them],” he said, adding that several essential drugs and speciality drugs were on the ‘not-available’ list. Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Amikacin, Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone and Cefotaxime were in short supply at a few facilities in the district.