Drug shortage: Stop pointing fingers and take action

The shortage of pharmaceuticals is the latest and most distressing topic appearing in the media. It is being blamed on banks’ delays and administrative delays at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

While agreeing with the above blame to some extent, I wish to bring to the notice of the NMRA authorities and the general public that the biggest culprit causing this inhumane shortage of drugs is the peon at the NMRA.

This person is in charge of all Drug Registration Files (computer data issue now forgotten) which need to be evaluated by the pharmacists prior to issuance of the Registration Certificates. These Registrations or Re-registration Certificates need to be validated and certified to enable imports of medicines in the market and the State Pharmaceuticals

Corporation (SPC).

But this peon hides files on the excuse that they are ‘missing’ which is a common excuse given to the importer as a result of which particular drugs cannot be imported.

Most helpless officers in charge of drug registration in the companies are compelled to bribe this person to fetch the files before they are submitted for approval.

It is a great pity that the heads of the NMRA are only professionals in healthcare and have minimum administrative experience to manage and control such staff in order to facilitate the smooth working of the office.

I trust the Ministers in charge will take this matter seriously without blaming each other for the serious issue of the drugs shortage in the market.