Medical Drugs

EHPHA concerned over antibiotic abuse

The Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (EHPHA) is calling on the public not to buy antibiotics that are being sold on the streets without prescriptions. 

The EHPHA board management and police in the Eastern Highlands issued this call to crack down on the illegal sale of antibiotics on the streets.  

EHPHA Board Chairman, Chris Kopyoto said he is very concerned seeing strong medicines being sold to people on the streets and in public places.

Illegal sales of drugs put public at risk

This was stressed during an awareness on the illegal sales of drugs and its effects conducted last week which was initiated by the East New Britain Provincial Authority and carried out in the four local level governments of Rabaul district.

Speaking during the awareness at Tavui No.1 of Balanataman LLG was district health coordinator, Garry Mano who highlighted some of the effects of taking medicine sold by street vendors or from unauthorised distributors.

Ineffective command affects supply of medical drugs: Sir Puka

Sir Puka said there is surplus medical drugs in-store at the Area Medical Store but break-down in communication is what’s causing the delay.

He said hospital managers and CEOs must always communicate with the Area Medical Stores for their supply of medical drugs.

He was responding to questions raised by the Member for Ijivitari Richard Masere, to clarify the shortages of medical drugs in the country.

“Can the good Minister tell the country the truth and confirm or deny if we have medical drugs?” Masere asked.

hospital drugs sold at Kimbe market

When asked who supplied  the drugs; the couple replied - we get that from Kimbe Hospital staff. They supply us the drugs and we sell it for them, as long as they give us a bit of commission.

The NDOH has banned all antibiotics from being sold on the streets , however this is not the case in WNB.