It was revealed at a cabinet media briefing held at the Government Information Department yesterday (11) that suppliers have not come forward to supply 40 medicines out of the 862 essential medicines required for government hospitals.
Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that efforts are being made to procure medicines through agreements with other countries.
He said that all the medicine importers were summoned to the Ministry of Health on February 10 where they were informed to ensure proper supply of the medicines.
The cause for the shortage is the lack of timely stocks of medicines required by the Medical Supply Division, the Minister said, adding that there is a shortage of some non-generic drugs from time to time.
He further noted that although a stock of medicines should be maintained in the Medical Supply Division, many medicines have been sent to peripheral hospitals and regional stores.
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