Drug Shortage Looming Across Teaching Hospitals In Rayalaseema
Hospitals in Kurnool, Nandyal, Kadapa, Anantapur, Nellore, and Prakasam districts are expected to stock around 660 types of medicines: Reports
KURNOOL: A severe shortage of essential medicines is plaguing teaching hospitals across Rayalaseema, with similar conditions reported across other regions of the state.
Observers say while teaching hospitals, considered the backbone of tertiary healthcare, are struggling with supply of medicines, the situation in secondary care institutions, such as area hospitals and community health centres, and primary health centres is far worse.
Significantly, since past few days, patients visiting government hospitals have been forced to buy medicines from private pharmacies after consultations, as hospital drug stores lack many general medicines.
According to official data, hospitals in Kurnool, Nandyal, Kadapa, Anantapur, Nellore, and Prakasam districts are expected to stock around 660 types of medicines. However, most hospitals currently have fewer than 300 in stock. As such, majority of essential drugs are unavailable.
“We have submitted indents several times to the Directorate of Medical Education, but supplies are not reaching us,” said an orthopaedic doctor from RIMS, Kadapa.
Patients are bearing the burden. C. Maddileti, who brought his mother from Aspari in Kurnool district for surgery, said, “Her operation has been successful. But none of the prescribed medicines are available. I had to spend ₹1,500 from my pocket to buy them outside.”
Critical drugs are missing across departments. Oxytocin injections, vital during childbirth, have been unavailable in teaching hospitals for over a month. Even basic IV fluids, such as sodium chloride, are out of stock.
Shortage of antibiotics is particularly alarming. Widely used drugs like Amoxicillin-Clavulanic Acid and Azithromycin are unavailable from Anantapur to Nellore teaching hospitals. A patient from Adoni said, “I am suffering from severe cough. But the hospital has asked me to purchase Azithromycin from a private shop.”
Emergency care is also affected. “Polytrauma patients arrive in critical condition. But the required antibiotics are not available,” said an associate professor from Nandyal.
Even life-saving drugs for rare conditions are missing. Patients with haemophilia are unable to access Factor VIII injections. “These injections are extremely costly. Most patients cannot afford to buy them outside,” doctors pointed out.
Medical professionals attribute the crisis to lapses in procurement and supply management. “There appears to be a serious failure at the level of Andhra Pradesh Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation. The issue needs attention of senior officials,” said a general medicine officer from RIMS, Ongole.
Attempts to reach Kurnool Government General Hospital Superintendent Dr. K. Venkateswarlu for comment went unanswered.
Teaching hospitals typically cater to 1,500 to 2,000 outpatients daily, along with around 800 inpatients.
Key essential medicines that are in severe shortage
Medicine Name Usage
Oxytocin Injection Usedduringchildbirth(delivery)
Sodium Chloride 100mlIVfluid/mixingmedicines
Labetalol Injection Controlsbloodpressure(BP)
Mannitol 100 ml Reducesbrainpressure
Ceftriaxone Injection Strongantibioticforinfections
Amoxicillin Commonantibiotic
Azithromycin Throatandlunginfections
Clindamycin Tab Antibiotic
Clopidogrel 75 mg Bloodthinner(heartpatients)
Metformin Diabetescontrol
Vildagliptin Diabetesmanagement
Pregabalin Nervepainrelief
Acyclovir Viralinfections
Tropicamide Eyedrops/eyeexamination
Factor VIII Haemophiliatreatment
Metformin Diabetes control
Vildagliptin Diabetes management
Pregabalin Nerve pain relief
Acyclovir Viral infections
Tropicamide Eye drops / eye examination
Factor VIII Haemophilia treatment
