HCMC – The Hanoi National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology has been facing the risk of a shutdown due to a severe shortage of anesthetic drugs.
The hospital will run out of anesthetic drugs within two weeks if it does not receive further supplies, Deputy Director of Hanoi National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology Pham Thanh Ha told the health ministry on September 16.
“Without the anesthetic drugs, the hospital is likely to be shut down because they are a must for two-thirds of the outpatient services at the hospital,” he added.
The hospital has been in search of alternatives, but despite their similar features, they are still not as effective as expected.
The shortage has been attributed to the pharmaceutical company’s expired license for the circulation of anesthetic drugs.
Finding a steady supply of anesthetic drugs and substitutes is even more challenging when only two or three companies import these drugs to Vietnam from a few manufacturers worldwide.
It will take around three or four months to import the drugs to Vietnam, further complicating the situation.
Apart from the Hanoi National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, Bach Mai Hospital has also run short of antidote drugs. The hospital leaders proposed stockpiling rare drugs to solve the problem.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam has directed the Bach Mai Hospital to list the necessary drugs and contact importers for orders.
Since April of this year, shortages of medicines and medical supplies have swept through hospitals and medical stations throughout the country.
In addition to the expired license for drug circulation, the difficulties in bidding for drug procurement also worsen the situation.
