Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Dec 2: Amid a rise in contagious diseases across Karnataka, a shortage of life-saving drugs is causing concern. Over 250 essential medicines are currently out of stock in the state, even in government hospitals.

The Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL) has reported a complete depletion of stocks for numerous medicines. Although the tender process has been completed, delays in placing orders have disrupted the supply chain, leaving life-saving drugs unavailable.

Due to this scarcity, patients relying on government hospitals are being forced to purchase medicines from private pharmacies at higher prices, posing a significant burden on the economically disadvantaged.

KSMSCL spends crores annually on procuring medicines and medical equipment, including bandages, cotton, surgical gloves, glucose bottles, and antibiotics. However, compared to other states, the corporation has been slow in its tendering process, with delays adversely affecting financially vulnerable patients.

Medicines for conditions such as lung and intestinal infections, anemia, pneumonia, diabetes, hypertension, heart ailments, and eye infections are among those currently unavailable. Common drugs like paracetamol, albumin, levothyroxine, vildagliptin, neostigmine, salbutamol, and astopan are also in short supply in government hospitals.

To address the issue, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has reassured the public, stating that the delays in procurement are temporary and measures are being taken to resolve the crisis.