Kerala Health Minister Denies Drug Shortage in Government Hospitals, Says Pharmaceutical Companies Are Behind Such Claims

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan on Saturday (October 3, 2026) denied reports of drug shortages in government hospitals and alleged that pharmaceutical companies are behind claims highlighting such a crisis.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Muraleedharan described the reports as a “media creation” and claimed that adequate supplies were available in government hospitals.

“There is no crisis at all. The stock of medicine is sufficient. If necessary, you can ask the chief inspector or anyone whether there is stock of medicine or not,” he said.

He claimed that some pharmaceutical companies were trying to create the impression of a shortage and accused sections of the media of emphasizing their claims.

“Some representatives of the pharmaceutical companies came with clubs and swords. And to emphasize this, some people from the big and small TV media also came forward,” he said.

Mr. Muraleedharan reiterated that drugs were available in government hospitals in sufficient quantity and said he would not be intimidated by such allegations.

“There is an adequate supply of medicine. Besides, if people from the pharmaceutical company come out brandishing clubs and swords, I’m not someone who gets scared at the sight of it. That’s all,” he said.

On the spread of infectious diseases, Mr. Muraleedharan said the number of cases reported so far was lower than the same period last year.

“Compared to last year, so many cases were not reported. So far, infectious diseases have not been reported in such numbers,” he said.

On the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala, the minister rejected Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s claim that the state government was not cooperating with the Centre.

He said that Mr. Gopi was not aware of the facts and that the Principal Secretary of the Health Ministry had already submitted a report to the Center in this matter.

“I can show him a copy if he asks for it. So why blame the state government unnecessarily?” said Mr. Muraleedharan.

He said that Mr. Gopi was interested in setting up AIIMS at a particular location.

“However, we have no such preference. Our only demand is that Kerala gets AIIMS,” he said.

Regarding cases of alleged medical negligence, Mr. Muraleedharan said the Health Department had not received any direct complaints.

“If we receive a complaint about anything, we will investigate it. There’s no question about that,” he said.

Sabarimala preparations

Mr. Muraleedharan, who also holds the Devaswom portfolio, said preparations for the upcoming Sabarimala pilgrimage season are progressing.

A meeting chaired by Chief Minister VD Satheesan will be held in Pampa on October 17 to review these measures, he said.

“The government is giving full support to the Travancore Devaswom Council. Hence, we expect that things can proceed without any hitch,” he said.

The Sabarimala pilgrimage season begins on November 17.

Published – October 3, 2026 12:36 PM IST