Lucknow: Patients at KGMU and RMLIMS have alleged a shortage of prescribed medicines at Hospital Revolving Fund (HRF) pharmacies, forcing them to buy drugs from private medical stores at higher prices. Complaints have mainly come from the cardiology, medicine and surgery departments.The shortage is particularly worrying for cardiac patients, who depend on multiple medicines after angioplasty and other heart procedures. These drugs are essential to prevent blood clots, keep arteries open, control cholesterol and manage blood pressure.Naushad Khan of Rahimabad, who accompanied his father to KGMU’s cardiology department for a post-angioplasty follow-up, said only two of the six prescribed medicines were available at the HRF pharmacy.He said, “The medicines were required to prevent blood clots, keep the arteries open and control cholesterol levels after the procedure. Had all the medicines been available at the hospital, it would have reduced our expenses considerably.”Pooja Devi of Shravasti, who visited the same department with complaints of chest pain and heaviness, said doctors prescribed eight medicines, including drugs for blood pressure control, blood thinning, vitamin supplementation and infection management. However, only three were available at the HRF counter, forcing her to buy the rest from private stores.At RMLIMS, the family of 52-year-old Ram Dulaari said they spent Rs 2,100 at a private medical store after some medicines prescribed for her cardiac treatment were unavailable at the hospital pharmacy. The prescription included anti-platelet drugs meant to prevent blood clot formation.Similar complaints have emerged from other departments. Bilal Qureshi, undergoing treatment for a respiratory infection, said an antibiotic prescribed for his condition was unavailable at the hospital pharmacy and had to be purchased from outside.A patient undergoing surgical treatment also alleged that certain post-operative injections were unavailable at the hospital pharmacy, forcing the family to arrange them from a private chemist.Patients and attendants claimed medicines purchased from private stores often cost three to four times more than those available through subsidised hospital pharmacies, significantly increasing out-of-pocket expenditure.With many patients dependent on govt hospitals for affordable treatment, regular availability of medicines at HRF pharmacies assumes added significance. Any disruption not only raises costs but can also affect continuity of treatment, particularly for those requiring long-term medication. However, officials of both institutions suggested that patients or attendants should complain to the office of the chief medical superintendent about the shortage.Responding to the concerns, KGMU spokesperson Prof K K Singh said the institute regularly maintains its medicine inventory and an audit of available stocks is underway. “All requirements will be fulfilled and the necessary medicines will be made available,” he said.RMLIMS spokesperson Prof Bhuwan Tiwari said the institute provides several combination medicines and that most prescribed drugs are available at its pharmacies. “However, if there is any shortage of any medicine, it will be replenished soon,” he said.
