Shortage of drugs to treat NCDs in govt. hospitals in Keralam

Several commonly prescribed drugs for blood sugar management (metformin), hypertension (telmasartan), and cholesterol (atorvastatin) are in short supply in hospitals in Keralam.

Hospitals across the State are up against a shortage of drugs for treating non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Several commonly prescribed drugs for blood sugar management (metformin), hypertension (telmasartan), and cholesterol (atorvastatin) are in short supply in hospitals, even as authorities have assured that these will be back in stock within a week.

“It is not as though we are running short on all drugs. But NCD drugs are medicines that people should be taking without fail as a matter of routine and disruptions in its supply can be worrying. We anticipated this shortage last month and moved fast to make local purchases so our patients do not miss the medication,” the medical officer at a family health centre in Thiruvananthapuram said.

“NCD drugs are in short supply but we have not had any issues because our hospital management committee has adequate funds, apart from the substantial resources that our block panchayat sets aside every year for purchasing drugs, for making local purchases. If a substantial amount of drugs has to be purchased, then we float a tender. However, there are also health institutions in smaller panchayats which might be struggling to make local purchase because of insufficient funds,” the superintendent at a taluk hospital in the suburbs said.