PERMANENT Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) has clarified the issue of medical drug shortages that was raised in the media in the past weeks.
Ms. Pauline McNeil stated this during the Oversight Committee Covid-19 update talkback show, Sunday.
“There is about 35 items of essential medicine that is out of stock, and 8 items of consumable that is out of stock,” PS McNeil said.
She explained these items are in the 13 containers that were stuck at the Ports Warehouse.
“They were been held up because of the non payment for clearance, however, this have been sorted out with the Tradeco Shipping service and the Carpenter Shipping urgent,” McNeil said.
She added all is been cleared and she acknowledged both the shipping agents.
“This is already cleared and it is at the medical store for distribution to our certain level of our medical stores in the provinces,” McNeil said.
Meanwhile, she stated as long the ministry has above 80percent or 90percent of availability of the stocks, they will have some level of assurance and comforted stocks are available.
By ESTHER NURIA
Newsroom, Honiara
