Officials of the Tamale Teaching Hospital have confirmed the regional health facility has run out of essential drugs.

Drugs such as intravenous ringers lactate and intravenous metronidazole are in short supply. 

The situation is so dire that patients who need these essential drugs are now being told to buy them outside the facility before they can be attended to.

Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Misbao Mohammed, told Joy News although there is a shortage, the hospital is not in distress.

"I must confess that we have run out of some medicines or drugs but that does not mean that we are operating at a desperate level", he said.

Explaining the shortage, Mohammed said, "the procurement process takes a long time to complete and we have started it".

He however said the process to procure the drugs are at an advanced stage.

"We would soon get over it and ensure that we restock our various stores with the essential items, drugs and non-drugs consumables", he assured.