Papua New Guinea's hospitals are causing drug shortages by being too slow with orders, the health minister says.
PNG Angau hospital Photo: RNZ Pacific
Elias Kapavore also blamed poor disease prevention at hospitals for a recent outbreak in Eastern Highlands, which reportedly killed dozens.
His comments are at odds with what many PNG doctors have described as a national health crisis caused by severe underfunding.
Mr Kapavore last week denied there were any shortages and on Wednesday said there were plenty of drugs to go around.
"The procurement of drugs coming into the country, I don't see it as an issue at the moment," he said.
"The issue that we have is the health facilities, the hospitals, the district hospitals, they must maintain stock control and place their orders to the medical stores."