No shortage of medicines in TN, says Ma Su

CHENNAI: Health Minister Ma Subramanian said that the supply and availability of essential drug are ensured at all the warehouses and pharmacies across the State.

The Minister conducted a review meeting for the available stock of medicines at the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation office in Egmore on Saturday.

He said that the rumours on non-availability or shortage of essential drugs are baseless as there has been no shortage of medicines in hospitals in Tamil Nadu.

"Primary health centers, district headquarters hospitals and medical college hospitals have already been inspected regarding the same. An inspection was carried out on the stocks of required drugs and expired drugs. The Health Secretary is conducting a review regarding the medicines procured by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC)," the Health Minister said.

He added that the Health Secretary is also contacting the medical college hospitals and district headquarters hospitals through phone and discussing the need for medicines, in case of any urgency.

"At least 327 essential medicines have been procured and the quantities required for three months are being sent to the respective district drug warehouses. Before this, only 32 places in Tamil Nadu had drug depots. Additional Rs 30 crore has been allocated for the 5 newly created districts in the last budget," he said.

He added that few months ago, there was a drug shortage of specific drugs in parts of the country due to the war in Ukraine and rising prices of petroleum raw materials. The issue has now been fixed, and 301 speciality drugs will be procured as per the requirement of the hospitals in the State.

"At least 2,011 primary health centers, more than 8,000 sub-health centers, about 200 district headquarters and Non- headquarters district hospitals, and 36 medical college hospitals have been provided with financial facilities to purchase medicines in case of small shortage of medicines," the minister said.

Talking about Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme, he said that the distribution of medicines under the scheme is also being continued. Moreover, a special officer has been appointed to the 104 medical helpline to answer the queries related to shortage of medicines in case of any such complaints.