● WHY IS THERE A SHORTAGE IN CERTAIN DRUGS IN HOSPITALS?

About 35 categories of medication are lacking in hospitals. Many causes have been raised to try and explain the problem ? among which a mismanagement of stocks, red tape and conflicts between staff members.

● WHY HAS THE INSTITUTE FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION (ICP) REACTED SO VIRULENTLY?

One of the reasons that have been raised to explain the lack of medicine is the fact that some drugs have had to be removed from hospitals because they were of poor quality following tests done in South Africa in January last year. These tests showed that some drugs to treat diabetes, high blood pressure or asthma did not correspond to the norms ? and this is how they were removed from the market.

● DOES THE ICP PLAN ANY ACTION?

The ICP is encouraging consumers using these medicine to claim damages from hospitals and has even made a lawyer available. It is also asking the ministry that the drugs and their and manufacturers be named and shamed. It has also recommended that the ministry purchases authentic generic medicines ? and no longer resorts to the lowest bidder. The ICP is also claiming a National Drugs Policy.