BY AUDREY KAPALAMULA:
The Ministry of Health and Population has said theft and poor management of drug budgets in district hospitals is contributing to shortage of drugs in health facilities across the country.
Minister responsible, Atupele Muluzi, said eight districts have exhausted their budgets and cannot purchase enough drugs from the Central Medical Stores Trust.
“We are in discussion with them to see if they can get extra finances and resolve the matter. We are also looking at how to improve the situation in the next financial year by making sure that the budgets are properly managed,” Muluzi said.
He admitted that there is a general problem with the availability of drugs in the country and attributed the development to supply chain management.
Muluzi did not rule out theft in public hospitals, arguing that government drugs are also being found in private hospitals.
“By January 2019, we intend to roll out an end-to-end tracking system for drugs. This will enable us to track all medicines from the Central Medical Stores Trust right to the end-user.
“This initiative will be supported by Global Fund. Resources have been made available and we are in the process of finalising the identification of a service provider,” the minister said.
Muluzi also expressed optimism that, once passed, the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulation Bill would help to mete out stiffer punishment on would-be offenders.
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