New Delhi, Sep 24 Delhi State Cancer Institute has started procuring medicines currently short in supply, including Leuprolide, while an antibiotic reported unavailable was substituted with other drugs, the state government said on Thursday.
According to an official statement by the Health Department, the institute had verified the availability of medicines following recent reports of shortages at the facility.
It clarified that several drugs mentioned in the reports, including Tamoxifen, Abiraterone, Irinotecan, Morphine and Fentanyl patches, were available.
The specific antibiotic referred to in the report was presently unavailable, but substitute antibiotics were available at the institute to meet patient requirements, the statement read.
“Certain other medicines, including Leuprolide, are already under procurement and are expected to be available shortly,” it said.
The institute also said medicines required for pain management, including Morphine and Tramadol, were available, along with iron preparations.
Additionally, the supply orders had already been issued for medicines that were short in stock and the procurement process was being expedited to ensure continuity of treatment, the statement read.
“The Government is closely monitoring the availability of medicines at DSCI and across Delhi’s government hospitals. The factual position has been verified from the Institute, and procurement of medicines that are currently short in stock is already underway,” Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said.
The institute reported overall availability of various drugs and medicines at around 90 per cent, with most essential medicines available in its pharmacy for OPD patients and in IPD wards for admitted patients, the department said.
It added that intravenous fluids were also available in IPD wards and that the stock position was being monitored according to patient requirements.
(PTI News)
