Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain spoke today at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) session. Photo: Video Screenshot

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 10, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain today informed Parliament that the government has undertaken a series of measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of medicines at public hospitals and prevent theft and misuse of government-provided drugs.

Responding to a scripted question from NCP lawmaker Abdullah Al Amin (Narayanganj-4) in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) today, he said the government is giving utmost importance to addressing allegations of medicine shortages and theft at government healthcare facilities.

"The process of ensuring adequate medicine supplies is continuing through the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) and local procurement committees based on demand. In cases where shortages arise at any specific hospital, emergency arrangements are made to replenish stocks promptly," the minister said.
 
To curb theft and unauthorized diversion of medicines, he said the government is introducing an electronic inventory management system to digitally monitor medicine stocks and distribution, enabling authorities to track the entry and exit of medicines more effectively.

He also said special barcodes and QR codes are being incorporated into medicine packaging to facilitate the identification of government medicines if they are sold illegally or diverted outside the public healthcare system.

Sakhawat Husain further informed the House that monitoring cells have been established at hospitals, while regular audits are being conducted to oversee the proper use and management of medicines.

Regarding accountability, he said strict instructions have been issued to form departmental investigation committees whenever specific allegations of medicine theft are received. "Appropriate administrative and legal actions are taken against those found responsible," the health minister added.

Hospitals have been directed to display visible notices informing patients and visitors that government medicines are distributed free of charge and are not for sale, as part of efforts to raise public awareness and discourage illegal trading of medicines, he further said.