National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad today questioned the government why basic medication is not available at all times and citizens are told to purchase medication that should be on the essential drugs list of Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services.
In his end of the week statement, Prasad said over the last few years, patients visiting our public health and medical facilities have repeatedly been told of the lack of basic medicines and to buy them from private pharmacies.
He says for sometime they have been inundated with complaints about the lack of medications and basic care at hospitals.
Prasad says the rot has well and truly set in.
In his response, Health Minister Doctor Ifereimi Waqainabete told parliament that the current stock availability of medicines at Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services is 88%.
He says the chemotherapy drug – Paclitaxel arrived this week and Mixtard Insulin is available in the hospital and it is also available in the free medicine scheme.
Doctor Waqainabete says Benzathine Penicillin is available.
He adds with the diabetes medicine Metformin, there is a global shortage.
Doctor Waqainabete says the impact of COVID-19 on certain manufacturing countries has had a ripple effect and stages of supply chains such as manufacturing, distribution and shipment have also struggled.
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