HOSPITAL REQUIREMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10688, 7 September 1920, Page 5

HOSPITAL REQUIREMENTS

SUPPLIED* BY DEFENCE DE- . PAttTMEWT.

"A SATISFACTORY ARRANGE--MBNT."

During, the war the medical branch of the Defence Department entered into some large contracts for drugs, surgical instruments, druggists' and dental requisites. When peace was declared large stocks were in hand which are now being continually augmented as contract shipments arrive. The requirements naturally gradually fell off after the declaration of peace, but, the accumulated stocks proved to be" more in the nature of a blessing than otherwise to the community. Negotiations were entered into by the Health Department with the Defence Department, and the outcome has been that the public hospitals' throughout the-Dominion are .now in a position to secure drugs which were difficult to obtain at a reasonable price. Doctors are also able to purchase surgical instruments and other medical requisites. It is 'said that so advantageous is the system of purchasing jn large quantities that the Defence Department is in a position to sell to public institutipns at a figure that is satisfactory to all concerned, and it is stated that there is every possibility of the system becoming established. Nochemists- or other private firms are supplied, and /there ft no intention on the part of the Government" to interfere with the wholesale drug : houses.