Pharmacies in capital lack vital drugs
'WHO, Unicef, UNFPA have offered help with supply'
KATHMANDU, Nov 16: Pharmacies in the capital lack vital drugs needed for intensive care units (ICU), coronary care units (CCU), general surgery and other medical services, thanks to the unofficial blockade imposed by India on Nepal.
Due to the prolonged blockade, medical care centers across the country have been reeling under an acute scarcity of essential drugs. Health workers as well as pharmacists have warned of catastrophic consequences if the medical supplies are not resumed immediately.
"We have been using alternative drugs for several weeks now. Stocks of these alternative medicines are also running out," said Nabaraj Khanal, proprietor of Hanuman Pharma near Bir Hospital. He informed that his pharmacy lacked injections such as Adrenalin, Atropine, Peperacint and Tazobacta and Bupivacaine Hydrochloride, Pendura, Vasopressin and Lobatel Ol. These are used in ICU/CCUs and in surgery.
Adrenalin and Atropine are vital medicines used in ICUs and CCUs. Similarly, Peperacint and Tazobacta are antibiotics used against infections. Bupivacaine Hydrochloride is used for anesthesia.
Buddhi Nepal, proprietor of Aayush Pharmacy, also near Bir Hospital, said that his pharmacy likewise lacked emergency drugs. "We do not have drugs used for anesthesia and ICU and CCU care," said Nepal, adding that he is running out of these essential drugs. "If the existing situation continues, the problem will become more severe," he informed.
Thakur Pokhrel of Aaraf Pharmacy said they were short of even common medicines such as Pantoprazole and Omeprazole, which are used for treating gastroenteritis patients. Pokhrel informed that his pharmacy also lacked substitute drugs.
"Somehow, we have been managing till now but the situation has become more acute," said Dr Swayam Prakash Pandit, director at Bir. He informed that the hospital will not be able to provide treatment if the medicines are not supplied immediately.
Government to request aid agencies for emergency drugs
Meanwhile, the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) of the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) said that it has decided to seek help from the aid agencies for the supply of vital medicines.
"We will hold discussions on Monday with the aid agencies about the ongoing drug crisis," said Bal Krishna Khakurel, director general (DG) at DDA, adding that DDA and MoHP have been holding meetings with stakeholders about the possible drug crisis in the country.
According to Khakurel, aid agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO), Unicef and UNFPA have already offered help to supply vital medicines. DDA has been compiling a list of emergency and other drugs that are in short supply in Nepal.
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