Thirty-four billion in dues not paid to drug suppliers

The Ministry of Health has to pay Rs. 34 billion to the suppliers of medicines, surgical equipment and food supplied to patients, it is revealed.

During a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health Sanjeewa Munasinghe had said that the supply of essential medicines has been disrupted due to non-payment of dues to these suppliers over a period of time.

He noted that as a result there is an acute shortage of the drugs required for heart patients, essential drugs and surgical equipment.

This information was revealed when a committee headed by UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena met at the Prime Minister's Office on the 14th  to look into the problems in the health sector.

It was also revealed that the State Pharmaceutical Corporation has not paid for the drugs imported into the country for over four months and as a result that foreign companies have decided to blacklist them.

After April not a single drug or medical supplies order had been received into the country.

Officials of the Ministry of Health pointed out that despite letters of credit being issued to import drugs, importers have been inconvenienced due to the shortage of dollars.

Out of 646 medicines required by patients, 188 medicines are not available in the Medical Supplies Division.

Of the 486 non-essential drugs, 21 are not available.

Of the 7854 surgical equipment, 1155 are not currently unavailable at the Ministry of Health.

It was revealed that 1405 out of 3416 complimentary medical equipment and 250 out of 3900 laboratory materials are also not available.

The Health Secretary said that as a result of non-payment of dues to suppliers, some suppliers have stopped supplying drugs and medical equipment.  

The Deputy Leader of the United National Party Ruwan Wijewardena assured that the Prime Minister will take steps to find the required dollars to resolve these issues in the Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, the Indian government and the Tamil Nadu state government had also handed over a stock of drugs worth Rs. 25 million to the government yesterday (15).