Saturday, May 2, 2026

Drug shortage ‘crops up every 2 years’

Date:

Share post:

A shortage of certain drugs, especially for patients who have had heart attacks or dealing with heart issues, is leaving the Barbados Drug Service (BDS) scrambling to fill prescriptions at some polyclinics.

The problem of scarce supplies or unavailability of medications is not a new one, however, according to acting director of the BDS, Delores Mascoll, who said it crops up around this time period every two years.

Some of the drugs that are currently out of stock include Aspirin 300mg and also an anti-epileptic drug for patients suffering from seizures. There is also a limited supply of one of the cholesterol medications, rosuvastatin, while no supplies at all of atorvastin.

“When there is any break in supplies from those countries, the entire world is affected,” she said, adding that when none of her three main manufacturers for the same product has it in it stock, then it is a “global supply issue and that is what we are facing now with the atorvastin.” (NS)

Subscribe now to our eNATION edition for the full story.

For the latest stories and breaking news updates download the Nationnews apps for iOS and Android.


Related articles

Spirit Airlines shutting down after rescue talks collapse

Spirit Airlines is shutting down as a business after failing to secure a $500m (£368m) bailout from the...

Former staff agree to 12% increase

Out-of-work former Berger Paints employees will get a 12 per cent salary increase back dated to January 2025. The...

Donation of supplies for Turner’s Hall students

Class 4 students at Hillaby Turner’s Hall received a donation of school supplies on Thursday, ahead of the...

Call for more collaboration on curbing methane emissions

With Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley expected in France on Monday to participate in high-level talks on reducing...