LUCKNOW, April 24 -- With new subsidised pharmacies announced for King George's Medical University (KGMU) just two weeks ago, the existing medicine counters are already struggling with stock shortages and an overwhelming patient load. Patients report being placed on waiting lists up to four to five days long before receiving their prescribed medicines at subsidised rates.

This has come to pass as the KGMU authorities failed to secure new tenders and renew the pre-existing ones with enough planning or consideration for the gap it might create towards the end of the contract term or immediately after.

"The fresh orders were placed on Wednesday," revealed Dr KK Singh, a spokesperson for KGMU, speaking to HT. Meanwhile, 60% of the tenders f...