State facing shortage of swine flu drugs, test kits

With the number of H1N1 cases increasing by the day, the government is battling a new challenge - shortage of drugs and testing kits.

At a meeting convened by Health Minister U T Khader in the City on Thursday, representatives of private and government hospitals expressed a common concern. Oseltamivir, a drug used to treat patients with the flu, is available only in minimal numbers. The irony is that Bengaluru, where the maximum number of cases have been reported, does not have enough drug to treat patients.

A representative from a private hospital said, “For each patient, we need 10 tablets. There is just about sufficient stock to treat positive cases; there is a need for more.”

An official from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike said the Palike had a stock of about 700 Oseltamivir tablets as on Thursday.

“We are expecting more drugs tomorrow. Also, the health minister has asked us to share the drugs with private hospitals, if need be,” she told Deccan Herald.It was reported through video conferencing that there was shortage of paediatric drugs across the State.

Short supply

Dr Ravi, head of the department, Neuro-virology, Nimhans, said it was not just tablets, but also testing kits were in short supply. “Presently, there are no kits left with us as there has been no supply from the Government of India. At least 400 are expected to reach us by Tuesday,” he added.

Private hospitals which had the testing facilities also expressed a similar concern.Khader, who spoke to representatives from all the districts through video conferencing, stressed on the need to create awareness on the preventive measures. 

He said that the issue of shortage of drugs and testing kits would be addressed. “As of now, it would be ensured that the available stock is used efficiently and distributed to hospitals where cases are reported. Soon, a meeting would be called for with the Drugs Control Department and a list of dispensaries that have the medication in stock would be put up on the department’s website,” he added.

Khader, who said no patient must be denied treatment at times like these, urged private hospitals to offer treatment at affordable costs. “Presently, in Bengaluru, for every 20-minute distance, a health inspector has been deployed to ensure drugs are given in time for patients in need,” he said.