ISLAMABAD, Oct 29: Patients are facing tremendous difficulties due to non-availability of a number of essential drugs, claimed a civil society organization working for the consumer rights here on Tuesday.

A recent survey conducted by The Network for Consumer Protection reveals that 25 important drugs, including those for high blood pressure, epilepsy, asthmas, malarial, angina, antibiotics and immunosuppressants, are either not available or in short supply in the market.

These 25 drugs have been included in the National Essential Drugs list prepared by the health ministry.

The organization has asked the health ministry to take immediate action for solving the chronic problem of non-availability of essential drugs and provide relief to the patients.

Azhar Hussain, project coordinator (pharmaceuticals) of The Network, claimed that they had been monitoring the supply of essential medicines since 1996 and had been persuading the ministry to resolve the root cause of this persistent problem.

The organization also took moved the Wafaqi Mohtasib in 1997 and in 2001. In his recommendations of June 17, 2002, the Federal Ombudsman observed that the shortage of essential drugs was “unfortunately a persistent phenomena which needs a constant action by all concerned. For this it is important that NGO’s resources on information in respect of failure of supply are properly utilised by the health ministry through an effective cooperation and liaison for the common good and welfare of the people.”

Mr Hussain also claimed that the ombudsman had also directed the ministry to discuss technical aspects of the issue with the Network. The ministry, however, never took any step to comply with these recommendations, he said.

He maintained that the ministry and the pharmaceutical industry were bound to ensure uninterrupted supply of registered drugs under the Drugs Act 1976 (Licensing, Registration, and Advertising), section 4 which says, “Every registered drug shall be produced in sufficient quantity so as to ensure its regular and adequate supply in the market”. And the section 5 says, “the manufacturer of any drug shall not, without prior approval of the registration board, be discontinued for a period which may result in its shortage”.

“It is understandable that the industry may not be interested in providing these drugs for marketing reasons, but why can’t the ministry assert its role in ensuring basic public health, is most shocking”, he said.

Essential drugs, according to the World Health Organization, are those which are time-tested for efficacy and safety, are cheap and can treat vast majority of diseases prevailing in any country.

These drugs must always be available as they are ‘Essential’ for health care.

Mr Hussain described the non-availability of any of these drugs as a “major public health issue” and asked the ministry to ensure immediate supply of these drugs in the market to alleviate sufferings of the sick, specially the poor, that have nowhere to turn to.

He urged the pharmaceutical industry and the government to start delivering on their statutory roles without any further delay.

When contacted the health ministry officials they were not available for comments.