03 Feb 2022

Botswana is experiencing severe drug shortages with Central Medical Stores (CMS) supplies currently standing at 40 per cent.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA,  Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti described the situation as worrisome as it had the potential to put patients’ lives at risk.

He said the outbreak of COVID-19 and resultant worldwide restrictions imposed to combat it had exacerbated shortage of drugs in public health facilities.

CMS, the minister said, had experienced low or no supply of various drugs and medicines since the outbreak of the virus in 2019 because of procurement and logistical challenges.

In addition, the availability of some drugs in world markets had  gone down while the pandemic and worldwide lockdowns increased  drug prices thereby causing more procurement and supply delays, he said.

Dr Dikoloti said there was also a spike in demand and use of some drugs including medication for chronic diseases.

Giving an example of paracetamol, the minister said before COVID-19,  its monthly consumption was around 6 000 and increased to over 40 000 with the advent of the virus.

He said the ministry was doing everything possible to mitigate the shortage of drugs and had fast-tracked rollout of the chronic medication dispensing programme.   

The programme makes it possible for patients receiving chronic medication in government hospitals to access drugs from private practitioners and institutions.

Currently being piloted in Francistown and Greater Gaborone, the programme is funded by governmen and administered by BPOMAS.

He said the programme would be rolled out to seven other villages by next month.

Residents of Molepolole are expected to start benefiting from the programme next week. Ends