MARA, July 4 -- PRIME Minister Mwigulu Nchemba has ordered government health facilities to ensure medicines procured with public funds reach patients, warning against the diversion of drugs to private pharmacies.

Speaking during a visit to Butiama District in Mara Region yesterday, Dr Nchemba said medicine availability in the country stands at 95 per cent, yet many patients are still instructed to buy drugs from private pharmacies.

“The availability of medicines in the country stands at 95 per cent, yet whenever patients visit health facilities, they are told to buy medicines from private pharmacies. Where do those pharmacies obtain medicines that government hospitals supposedly do not have, if not the very medicines procured by t...