Are Free Medications for Diabetes Patients Missing? What Officials Say

There has been no Metformin medication designated for diabetes patients at Yerevan’s 17th polyclinic for several weeks. This concern was raised by a citizen to Аuroranews.am three days ago. The citizen reported, “The medication is provided for two months, two pieces a day as stipulated. I have been taking it, and it has run out. I went to get more, but the polyclinic said they had none. There were more than ten people in line, all coming for the same medication. They took our phone numbers and said they would call us as soon as it was available. We are not young; we are ill, and it is unacceptable to endure this.”

Since Yerevan polyclinics operate under the oversight of the city government, Аuroranews.am immediately contacted the press service of the respective agency. They informed us that the medication provided by the Ministry of Health has been unavailable in the country for almost a month. Currently, the polyclinic is awaiting a delivery invoice, and the Metformin medication will be available in polyclinics by the end of the week.

The same citizen reached out to us again today. It turns out that today, the last working day of the week, he approached the polyclinic once more and received the same response: there is no medication.

We established contact with the spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, Hripsime Khachatrayan. She emphasized in our conversation that there are absolutely no issues regarding supplies and distributions from the ministry. The demand from outpatient clinics and polyclinics is being met by the health ministry. She also stated that on Monday, citizens can come to receive the Metformin medication.

Additionally, Аuroranews.am contacted the 17th polyclinic to understand the root of the issue. They mentioned that such problems rarely occur, but they do not leave patients without medication. In such cases, they direct patients to the “City Endocrine Dispensary” to receive their entitled dosage. However, it is noteworthy that the citizen who raised the concern was not guided anywhere.

In summary, the Ministry of Health announced that the Metformin medication will be available in polyclinics on Monday, and citizens can approach to receive it.