Distribution of drugs timely: PM

MEDICAL drugs are being distributed around the country on a timely basis, says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
He said this in response to questions from Northern Governor Gary Juffa relating to cancer, HIV-Aids and distribution of drugs.
Juffa said anti retro-viral drugs to treat HIV-Aids were running short and asked what the Government was doing to address this.
He said cancer was a growing problem among people in rural areas, who travelled to Lae or Port Moresby for treatment, and asked what the Government was doing about it.
Juffa also asked about a controversial contract being awarded to a company to distribute drugs, imported from a company in China, which was cited for counterfeit drugs.
He said a laboratory to test these drugs was yet to be built and asked when it would be built, as well as if an inquiry could be conducted into the company.
“One of the priorities of our Government is to make sure that the cancer centre that the governor is talking about, rather than having it all in Lae, we are now focusing on having one in Port Moresby,” O’Neill said.
“Cancer is a growing disease that because of lifestyle changes, is becoming a problem for our country.
“That is why it needs the attention that it deserves.”
Regarding drugs, O’Neill said there was regular testing of drugs.
“I know we are long overdue for a lab – one of our own – due to funding constraints,” he said.
“It does not mean that drugs are not tested on a regular basis.
“I understand from the governor that he has got some concerns about some of the drugs that are being distributed to hospitals.
“If he’s got specific issues, I want him to put it in writing and send it to my office.;
“I will make sure that there is an inquiry into that drug company that he talked about.
“The drugs’ distribution contract is coming to an end.
“It will be advertised publicly in the country and outside the country so that we can get the best-available company to distribute drugs all throughout the country.”
O’Neill said Health Minister Michael Malabag on Tuesday presented the 2015 health sector annual management report that highlighted what the Government was doing, and the challenges.
“There are many challenges. These are things that the governor (Juffa) is alluding to.
“After years of not putting funds into this sector and not funding the complete health plan of the country for many, many years, since coming into government in 2012, we are the only Government that is fully funding the health sector for the first time in our history.”