August 3: The Ministry of Health and Population has directed the hospitals without their own pharmacies to run pharmacies on their premises 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 institutes and hospitals that do not have their own pharmacies.    
"The health institutions and hospitals not operating pharmacies on their own on 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 do not comply with the order," reads the circular.    
Similarly, the ministry also instructed the hospitals and health institutions having their own pharmacies to ensure that all medicines and related goods re available for the patients 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. -- RSS