Medicine Shortages to Continue Due to Procurement Process

The President of the Fiji Medical Association (FMA), Dr Alipate Vakamocea, has raised concerns about ongoing medicine shortages in Fiji, saying the current government procurement process is contributing to the problem.

Ministry of Health is required to get three quotes for each medicine when stocks run out.

Whether it's common medicines like Panadol or antibiotics like amoxicillin, the Ministry must gather these quotes before it can make any purchases.

“This process will continue to cause shortages,” Dr Vakamocea said.

“When medicines are out of stock, it leads to delays in patient care, which means people are not getting the treatment they need on time, and that can cause serious problems.”

He pointed out that medicines and medical supplies are not made in Fiji, so the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services Centre must source them from overseas.

This adds more time to the process, as they not only need to get three quotes but also ensure the products meet quality standards.

Dr Vakamocea also highlighted that private companies like Aspen and Oceania don't face the same delays because their systems are designed for faster, more efficient procurement.

He noted that these delays are particularly problematic for essential medicines, like blood pressure tablets, which are often out of stock.

Patients who rely on government supplies can't afford to buy these medicines at private pharmacies because of the high cost.

The FMA President mentioned that the Head of the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS) has a list of essential drugs that are frequently out of stock.

While the names of the medicines on the list may change, the length of the list has stayed the same, reflecting a long-term issue with supply.

Dr Vakamocea said that unless the procurement process is overhauled and more efficient systems are put in place, these shortages will continue in the coming years.

He called for a solid commitment to change the way medicines and medical supplies are ordered in order to improve patient care in the future.