Pakistan’s Hospitals Face Mounting Medicine Supply Challenges

Benazir Bhutto General Hospital is grappling with a severe shortage of medicines as rising patient numbers collide with limited funding and unpaid dues to pharmaceutical vendors. The crisis underscores the growing strain on Pakistan’s healthcare system, particularly in high-demand regions.

Hospital officials revealed that the facility currently owes Rs330 million to suppliers, while only Rs380 million has been released for its medicine budget this fiscal year. Once pending dues are cleared, just Rs50 million would remain for new purchases—an amount far too small to meet the needs of thousands of patients.

The problem is not new. In FY2025–26, the hospital was allocated Rs400 million for medicines, but actual spending surged to nearly Rs800 million due to overwhelming patient demand. This left a Rs400 million shortfall, of which only Rs70 million was adjusted, leaving Rs330 million unpaid.

For FY2026–27, hospital authorities requested Rs1.25 billion to ensure uninterrupted medicine supply. However, the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department approved only Rs380 million, far below the requirement. Officials warn that even after settling outstanding payments, an additional Rs800 million to Rs1 billion will be needed to adequately serve indoor patients, emergency cases, and outpatient departments.

Benazir Bhutto General Hospital provides medical coverage across Rawalpindi Division, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad. Without urgent financial intervention, the ongoing shortage threatens to severely impact patient care across these regions.

The situation highlights the urgent need for sustainable healthcare funding, better budget planning, and timely vendor payments to prevent recurring crises. For patients, the shortage means delayed treatments and limited access to essential medicines, putting lives at risk and straining trust in public healthcare facilities.