The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has stated that while there is no shortage of arthritis-specific medications at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila) as being reported, there is a shortage of supporting medications.
GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe stated that the issue reported earlier was not related to arthritis medications but rather to a shortage of supporting medications, such as folic acid and vitamin C, which are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms associated with arthritis.
Dr. Wijesinghe further explained that the current national shortage of medications was not significant as authorities had been actively addressing procurement issues, which were recently resolved following a Cabinet decision.
He noted that while some challenges remained, the situation was expected to improve in the coming weeks as the measures implemented last year took effect.
Emphasising the importance of swift action, Dr. Wijesinghe highlighted that the Ministry of Health and the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) had access to vital data that helped predict disease and medicinal drug consumption patterns, allowing them to forecast shortages and take preventive measures.
Reflecting on the severe pharmaceutical shortages of 2022 and 2023, he stressed that those had been due to delays in timely action which had led to corruption and malpractice, and called for efforts to avoid a repetition.
Additionally, the Cabinet recently approved the procurement of 900,000 1 g vials of meropenem and 9,000 40 mg vials of tenecteplase, with delivery expected by March, provided the procurement process is successful.
As for the availability of key medications, current stock levels include 11,725 units of azathioprine (50 mg), 2,481,200 units of hydroxychloroquine sulphate (200 mg), and other medications such as leflunomide, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide. However, sulfasalazine, a Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD), is currently out of stock.
When contacted, MSD Deputy Director General Dr. Garusinghe Wijesuriya assured that there was no current shortage of arthritis medications.
“Folic acid and vitamin C are prioritised for maternal cases. For patients with arthritis, these are not essentials. Despite there being a few unavailable medicines, all the necessary medicines are being purchased and are in supply,” he added.
State Pharmaceuticals Corporation General Manager Dinusha Dasanayake stated that a shortage in pharmaceuticals for arthritis patients had not been reported to the corporation.