Pharmacists upset with Imbert

PHARMACISTS at the San Fernando General Hospital are upset with statements made by Health Minister Colm Imbert about the possibility of “leakage” and drugs “walking out of the hospital” because the pharmacy Department did not have a tracking system and control over inventory. In an open letter to the Minister, senior pharmacist Leaflet Ryan said his remarks have brought disrepute to the Pharmacy Department. She said morale has been bruised and reparation should be made. Last Friday members of the public were telling the pharmacist, “the Minister say all you thieving the drugs that’s why we can’t get it.”

Ryan said there is a system in place and the pharmacy has good distribution practices and an obligation of proper inventory management. She said the Minister does not possess a comprehensive knowledge of, and understanding of the daily operations at the Department and is deliberately misinformed or ill advised. She said detailed information about the department’s tracking and inventory control mechanisms are available upon request. Commenting on the current scarcity of certain drugs Ryan said daily communication between the National Insurance Property Development Company (NIPDEC) is about supply and demand “which is always inadequate and continues to be a thorn.”

She said this problem has always been around but this year is the worst. She questioned if this was due to the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme or because the end of the financial year was approaching and budgetary constraints are causing cost containment. Quoting the Minister as saying NIPDEC supplied drugs as requested by a senior pharmacist, Ryan said the requisitions were dated as August and not September 10. “It is true to say, the information you received from NIPDEC officials is inaccurate and knowingly misleading. An accurate documentation can be furnished to you upon request.”