Phidim, November 5 Due to the protracted Madhes agitation and embargo along Indo-Nepal border points, eastern hill districts, including Panchthar, Ilam and Taplejung, have been reeling under acute shortage of drugs. Doctor Om Prasad Yadav of Panchthar District Hospital said supply of medicines to these districts had been completely halted for the past four months. According to him, all health posts and sub-health posts in the district, including the district hospital, were running out of medicines for common diseases such as fever, common cold, diarrhoea, among others. The number of patients has increased significantly after Dashain. Panchthar Hospital informed that all health facilities in the district had run out of anti-rabies vaccine. The number of dog bite patients had increased largely in the district of late. Besides Panchthar, neighbouring Ilam district has already started facing shortage of drugs. Chief of Public Health Office Raj Kumar Pokhrel said they were facing a hard time due to shortage of drugs. He said they were facing acute shortage of iron tablets and antibiotics for children. Meanwhile, Taplejung District Hospital informed that it was facing shortage of necessary equipment in the parturition department.