Janakpuri Hospital faces shortage of 51 life-saving medicines

The 250-bed hospital, inaugurated in 2008 and spread over 8.82 acres, caters to a large population in west Delhi and depends heavily on free drug distribution

Published on: Jul 3, 2025, 05:46:02 IST

By Ridhima Gupta

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A severe shortage of 51 essential medicines has gripped Janakpuri Super Specialty Hospital (JSSH), a Delhi government-run facility, forcing hundreds of patients to either delay treatment or purchase medicines at steep prices from private pharmacies for the past month, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday.

The shortage is now pushing vulnerable patients to spend out-of-pocket, with many delaying care due to financial constraints (Shutterstock)

The pharmacy has issued a list, dated June 30 and accessed by HT, confirming the unavailability of 51 life-saving drugs at the hospital. The shortage includes acetylsalicylic acid (used to prevent heart attacks and strokes), amiodarone (for irregular heart rhythms), and levodopa-carbidopa (for Parkinson’s disease).

Other unavailable drugs include antibiotics such as amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (used for bacterial infections), insulin lispro (for diabetes), levothyroxine (for hypothyroidism), asthma inhalers, pantoprazole (for digestive issues), domperidone (for nausea and vomiting), and even ORS powder, crucial for dehydration treatment in children and the elderly.

“Some of the drugs not available in the list are essential at hospitals, including acetylsalicylic acid, which is given for cardiac arrest patients. It is called a load medicine and is required for emergency. Further, tramadol, a painkiller often used in emergency, is also unavailable. Non-availability of such drugs at the hospital will affect patient care for sure,” said a senior doctor at the emergency department of a Delhi government hospital, requesting anonymity.

The 250-bed hospital, inaugurated in 2008 and spread over 8.82 acres, caters to a large population in west Delhi and depends heavily on free drug distribution. The shortage is now pushing vulnerable patients to spend out-of-pocket, with many delaying care due to financial constraints.

Responding to the development, Delhi’s health minister Dr. Pankaj Singh said: “We have recently found out about the shortage of some of the essential drugs at the hospital. The shortage has not lasted more than a week, and we have already looked into the matter. It will be resolved in the coming days.”

Hospital authorities have not issued an official statement about the disruption or specified when normal supply would resume, despite repeated attempts to contact them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ridhima Gupta
Ridhima Gupta is a Principal Correspondent at Hindustan Times, where she covers healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and public health policy. Her reporting centers on Delhi’s major hospitals (AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lok Nayak), the state health department, and emerging medical trends. Ridhima is particularly interested in reporting on healthcare issues through the lens of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Her work often explores the intersection of healthcare and public policy, examining how these factors shape access health care. Based in New Delhi, many of her reports have led to direct government action over the years, in different city. Earlier this year, she completed a media training workshop on the Impact of Extreme Heat on Health, organised by the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), further strengthening her interest in reporting on the intersection of climate change and public health. A postgraduate from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Ridhima has around a decade of experience in journalism. She began her career as a trainee television reporter with Mirror Now in Mumbai and has since worked across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, contributing to both print and broadcast newsrooms. She is a recipient of the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022) for her reporting on education, disability, and women’s issues. Before joining Hindustan Times, Ridhima worked with The Times of India, New Indian Express and News18. A native of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Ridhima completed her undergraduate studies in Biotechnology. And when she is not working as a journalist she likes to paint and go on nature hikes.Read More

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