ALAPPUZHA, September 26: A shortage of essential medicines has been reported at Government T.D. Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha, with patients and their relatives complaining that several medicines prescribed by doctors are unavailable at the hospital pharmacy.
Patients say the shortage includes costly and essential medicines, forcing some families to purchase prescribed drugs from private pharmacies at substantially higher prices. Reports indicate that medicines prescribed by doctors across several departments have been affected.
One report highlighted the extent of the problem with patients receiving only one of five prescribed medicines from the hospital pharmacy in some instances.
Hospital authorities have attributed the immediate shortage to delays in receiving medicines that have already been ordered from suppliers. The issue at Alappuzha Medical College comes amid a broader shortage affecting government hospitals across Kerala.
Across the state, shortages have been reported in medicines used for diabetes, heart conditions, infections and cancer treatment, along with basic medicines such as paracetamol and some IV fluids. Hospitals have been relying on local purchases to meet urgent requirements where possible.
The Kerala Medical Services Corporation’s procurement process has also faced delays. According to reports, suppliers did not bid for 180 items in the current tender, while quotations for another 171 items were higher than the previous year’s prices, requiring additional procurement and re-tendering measures.
Health authorities have indicated that fresh stocks are expected to reach hospitals as procurement orders are completed. Until supplies normalise, however, patients at Alappuzha Medical College may continue to face difficulties obtaining some prescribed medicines directly from the hospital pharmacy.
