The Ministry of Health and Population has directed those hospitals without their own pharmacies in their premises to run pharmacies within one month.Issuing a circular in the name of government, private, non-government and community institutes and medical colleges, the Ministry warned of taking action against such health institutions and hospitals that do not have their own pharmacies.

“The health institutions and hospitals not operating pharmacies on their own in the hospital premises should complete necessary process to run the pharmacies within a month from the date of the issuance of this circular. Action will be taken against such health institutions and hospitals if they flout the diktat”, reads the circular.
Similarly, the Ministry also instructed the hospitals and health institutions having their own pharmacies to provide all medicines and medical related goods used in the hospitals round the clock.

Senior Drug Manager of the Ministry, Usha Tandukar, said it is necessary to ensure that patients and their attendants get medicine at any time in hospitals.