Serious shortage of essential and priority medicines in state hospitals – Health data shows

Colombo, June 17 (Daily Mirror) - According to official data from the Ministry of Health, there is a serious shortage of essential and priority medicines in the government health system.

Health Professionals Association President Ravi Kumudesh said the data, updated on June 16, 2026, through the SWASTHA Medicine Stock Management System, shows significant gaps in the supply of medicines managed by the Medical Supply Division (MSD).

According to the report, 2 out of 13 Vital medicine items (15.38%) are completely out of stock at MSD level. Officials say such shortages of life-saving medicines pose a serious risk to patient care, he said.

In addition, 137 out of 618 Priority medicine items (22.17%) are also unavailable at MSD level, indicating that nearly one in five priority drugs is in short supply.

The data further shows that 116 priority medicine items have only one month’s stock remaining, while another 59 items have stock levels sufficient for just one to two months. In total, 175 priority drug items (28.3%) are considered at high risk of running out in the coming months.

Health sector stakeholders stress that maintaining buffer stocks, in line with international standards, is essential to ensure uninterrupted treatment for patients.

Authorities at the Health Ministry and the Medical Supply Division have been urged to clarify the causes of the shortages, including possible procurement delays, tender issues, or supply chain disruptions.

Questions have also been raised on contingency plans for medicines with critically low stocks and whether hospitals are already substituting alternative drugs.

The situation highlights the need for stronger planning, transparency, and accountability in the country’s pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure patient safety and continuous access to essential medicines.