The drug shortages is reaching worrying levels in Colombia and that’s why the Colombian Association of Hospitals and Clinics (Achc) is asking the Ministry of Health identify and address the causes of shortages.
According to data from the Achc, between 135 clinics and hospitals surveyed, 89% are reporting that they need medicines and even medical supplies.
“The scarcity of supplies worries us because they are crucial for the adequate provision of hospital services, taking into account that the reservation times reported by the institutions are short,” said Juan Carlos Giraldo, director general of the Achc.
Among the implements that are beginning to be lacking in clinics are catheters, needles, cannulas, endotracheal tubes, flow sets (dual-way irrigation, macro drip), electrodes, bags, syringes, masks and sutures”.
The range of reserve days for these elements, according to the data collected by the Achc, is between 9 and 17 days.
What are the medications that are needed?
According to the hospitals and clinics surveyed, in the top 10 of scarcer drugs there are acetaminophen, tramadol, sterile water, dipyrone, human immunoglobulin, vitamins, calcium carbonate + Vitamin D, neostigmine, lidocaine and potassium chloride.
Also, it is concerned that the shortage has caused price increases. In fact, among the missing elements, “an average increase in prices between 7% and 15% in supplies, and between 30% and 47% in medicines” has been identified.
Among the problems identified by the Achc are the lack of raw materials, the difficulties of importing, the increase in prices due to the exchange rate, the high transportation costs and the increase in demand.
(Also read: What to do in the face of the shortage of some medicines in Colombia?).
For his part, the Ministry of Health has asked citizens and doctors use more generic drugs and has invited to strengthen the national pharmaceutical industry to strengthen the offer. He has also pointed out that there would be a strong commitment to the purchase of medicines through massive mechanisms such as the Revolving Fund of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
