MEDICINES worth around BD34 million have been purchased for chronic illnesses over a seven-month period, revealed Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh.
A total of 1,860 types of medicines – for blood pressure, diabetes, cardiac care and high cholesterol – were bought by the ministry from July last year to January this year, she said.
The minister was responding in writing to a question by MP Hamad Al Kooheji on the reasons behind the alleged shortage of medicines in the country.
She emphasises that Bahrain’s ability to provide medicines has not be adversely affected despite global challenges in pharmaceutical products that has led to shortages of some medicines.
Ms Al Saleh also revealed that 15 pharmacies have been referred to the Public Prosecution for selling medicines at prices higher than the rates set by the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), with eight referred last year and seven in 2017.
“We have long-term plans that assess future needs for medicines, mainly for chronic illnesses, and through monthly reports of drugs in stock and weekly reports for sensitive medicines, we are able to determine our purchases,” she said.
“The lists change regularly to ensure that much-needed medicines or advanced formulas are added.
“There are set timings for when deliveries of each medicine are received but there are delays from local suppliers caused by logistic and technical aspects, certain medicines being discontinued and alternatives being sought quickly, cancellation of registration of certain medicines due to concerns over treatment and failure of particular medicines to pass the ministry or production standards.
“Some drugs are not even registered at the NHRA and this requires time, some suppliers are changed or replaced and this takes time should the product be not what is wanted, pharmacies may also not be able to supply certain medicines even after all formalities are completed, and unrealistic consumption of particular medicines may require an investigation.”
Ms Al Saleh added that the ministry was currently in talks with a company to help with medicine stores management to ensure proper monitoring and action should there be shortages.
“If certain medicines are out of stock we approach the BDF Hospital, the King Hamad University Hospital or local suppliers who may have stocks, We also approach other GCC countries.
“We have sufficient stock of medicines for chronic illnesses, having spend around BD34 million in just seven months on 1,860 types of drugs.
“The prices of all medicines are set and our inspectors monitor the pharmacies. In case of violations, offenders are referred to the Public Prosecution; eight were referred last year and seven in 2017.”
Meanwhile, Ms Al Saleh, in response to another question by parliament chairwoman Fouzia Zainal, said plans for a new general hospital covering the Southern Governorate has been put on hold despite a plot being allotted in East Riffa.
“The hospital would have provided 150 beds but we are assessing the situation in line with priorities as the BD100m King Abdullah Medical City is under construction in the same governorate with completion expected in 2021.
“It will have 288 beds initially increasing to 500 over time.
“The BDF Hospital also in the same governorate would be open under the National Health Insurance Scheme.”
The minister also said the Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalid Al Khalifa Centre for Kidney Dialysis has been opened in Hunainiya Valley and the Mohammed bin Khalifa Centre for Cardiac Care in Awali will be opened later this year.
“All will be available under the insurance scheme.”
Ms Al Saleh also responded in writing to another question by MP Ahmed Al Demistani on plans to have new health centres in the Northern Governorate.
“We are working under a national plan to have 2,000 to 2,500 patients per doctor across health centres and we have increased the number of doctors by nine in four health centres in the Northern Governorate,” she said.
The three questions will be debated during parliament’s weekly session on Tuesday.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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