PETALING JAYA: Is there a shortage of medicines and supplements at government hospitals and clinics?
The Sun quoted several readers and medical personnel as saying the duration of medicine prescriptions had been shortened to two weeks or a month, compared with the previous two to six months, depending on the type of medicine.
A reader of the daily, who only wanted to be known as Michael, related how he was prescribed a month’s medication after each medical appointment, following his recovery from tuberculosis earlier this year.
However, whenever he went to the pharmacist, he was only given two weeks’ worth of supply and that the latter told him they were facing a shortage.
The pharmacist also told the restaurant manager that a months’ prescription was only possible with a letter from the doctor.
The shortage of supply has also forced Kiran, a 57-year-old housewife, to brave traffic jams lasting over an hour, to get to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital to replenish her diabetes medicine, every month.
The Sun spoke to a couple of pharmacists in Malacca and Johor, and a doctor in Negeri Sembilan – all of whom did not want to be named – but who confirmed the shortage.
The Malacca-based pharmacist said they had been experiencing shortage of prescription drugs meant for blood pressure, diabetes and insulin, over the past two months.
She said as a result, hospitals and clinics in the state had resorted to borrowing and lending medicines to sustain themselves.
“After recalculating their remaining stock, most are wondering if the medicines can last till year-end,” she was quoted as saying.
A Johor-based pharmacist lamented the insulin shortage faced by diabetics.
“The pharmacy is currently issuing only two weeks’ worth of prescription for it. While the situation is manageable at the moment, it can’t be prolonged because diabetes is a critical illness. This shortage will add further complications for patients,” said the woman.
A doctor from a hospital in Negeri Sembilan said they were running low on Vitamin C, and that they now only supplied the supplement to patients with critical kidney disease.
Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, however, dismissed the claims of a shortage of medicines.
He told the daily that the Health Ministry had limited the supply of medicines for a month, at public hospitals and clinics, to reduce wastage.
Hisham assured that his ministry would always ensure there were sufficient supplies of medicines and supplements at all its hospitals and clinics, and that it would be of quality.
He, however, admitted there was some “disruption” in the supply of insulin, due to the manufacturer abroad facing some issues.
He added that his ministry was closely monitoring the situation and had taken proactive measures to get alternative supplies.