Drug shortage for cancer patients at KGMU?

LUCKNOW:The patients admitted to the King George’s Medical University for cancer treatment, are finding it difficult to get a few medicines prescribed by the doctors on the campus.

With no other option left, the patients are compelled to purchase these medicines from the stores outside the campus. However, they have to shell out more for it.

While KGMU provides medicines for free or at a very low cost as it purchases directly from the manufacturing companies, the same have to be purchased at market price from outside campus. “There is a huge price difference between the store inside KGMU campus and those running outside,” said Rakesh Kumar , an attendant.

On being contacted over the issue, the chief medical superintendent of the KGMU, Prof SN

Sankhwar said the issue was not of supply. “We have all the medicines that are prescribed by doctors but the problem arises when a doctor writes medicines other than those listed in our stock,” he said.

KGMU purchases medicines on the basis of list of medicines given by doctors by various departments and the stock is distributed via counters on the campus. “When a doctor suddenly starts prescribing a medicine

without informing us, the issue arises,” said Prof Sankhwar. He said a circular has been sent to doctors to inform in advance about medicine they prescribe.

As per the rules, cancer patients are to be given free treatment. At KGMU the main store keeps the stock of medicine for all departments and provides the same to drug distribution counters. However, due to unavailability, the patients have to buy it from outside.