Kathmandu, June 24 -- The Department of Drug Administration has directed importers and suppliers to increase the import, supply and stockpile of medicines of chronic diseases-asthma, blood pressure and diabetes-and drugs required in intensive care units.

The directive from the national drug regulator comes amidst rising Covid-19 cases and complaints of a short supply of life saving medicines used in intensive care units and those needed to treat chronic diseases.

"We have directed importers, suppliers and wholesalers to import and boost the supply of medicines that are in short supply," Narayan Prasad Dhakal, director general at the Department of Drug Administration, told the Post. "We have been taking updates on the stocks of those med...