Czech medical goods distributors have stopped delivering to several hospitals because of the hospitals' mounting debts.

The Association of Large Distributors is refusing to continue regular deliveries of drugs and other supplies to six hospitals that together owe its members 320 million koruna (£6.6m; $10.3; €10.4m). The association says that the restrictions may be extended to 30 hospitals if their debts continue to soar.

“Our members have decided to stop supplying medicines to hospitals where payments are outstanding for more than one year,” the association's chairman, Jiri Novotny, said. The health ministry has agreed to release 60 million koruna to help meet the total debts for medical supplies–but that amounts …