Govt denies shortage of two surgical drugs

Hospitals across the country are facing a shortage of morphine and fentanyl, which are vital to anesthetic application during surgeries, said Dr Phongthep Wongwatcharaphaibool.

"The Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for stockpiling both chemicals, said recently stocks had been running down for more than two months, and could not say when a resupply was likely," he added.

However deputy FDA secretary general Dr Phongphan Wongmanee said the reports were based on miscommunication and outdated information. "We call on the public not to panic, as there is no shortage of both chemicals," he said.

Phongphan admitted to a shortage of tablettype morphine but said e hospitals could now use the more expensive capsuletype. He said the shortage was due to a new procurement method which would take longer but was more transparent.

The RDF's Phongthep raised his own speculation whether the shortage of fentanyl, in particular, could have stemmed from competition between a company and a new vendor to win a lucrative contract awarded by the FDA.