Plan better, medicine shortages should not be happening: DPM Prasad tells health officials

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad has called on health officials to improve their planning to prevent recurring medicine shortages across the country.

Speaking during a town hall forum in Labasa last Thursday, Professor Prasad acknowledged widespread public frustration over the ongoing issue—particularly in the Northern Division.

“This is something that simply shouldn’t be happening,” he said.

“Those responsible for managing medical supplies must plan better. The Ministry of Health has sufficient funding.”

The forum, hosted at the Fiji Football Academy, was part of the first-ever “Meet the Press and Public” initiative organised by the Fijian Media Association, which held similar events in Savusavu and Labasa last week.

Professor Prasad outlined steps the Government has taken to address the issue, including the recent launch of a pharmaceutical storage facility at Labasa Hospital. The facility now supplies medication to health centres and nursing stations throughout Vanua Levu.

“When medicine shortages became a major concern, we acted quickly,” he said.

“We now have a new system in place—mSupply—which allows doctors and nurses to relay real-time stock data to the central office.”

The mSupply system, an electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS), is designed to improve oversight and prevent stockouts before they occur.

In addition to system upgrades, Professor Prasad said policy-level actions are also underway.

“We’ve signed agreements with the Indian Government to improve our medicine supply pipeline—and to ensure affordability.”

While he welcomed these developments, the Deputy Prime Minister admitted that challenges persist.

“Outbreaks and sudden surges in demand can disrupt supply chains,” he said.

“But if that keeps happening, then something is not working somewhere. We must get the systems right.”