Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that two investigations are currently under way by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Ministry of Health regarding the import of substandard medicines, adding that there will be no room for such a situation in the future.
The Minister said that the culprits will be dealt with irrespective of their rank.
Dr. Pathirana said there were problems of standardisation and quality in medicines as well as other items due to the financial crisis in the country in the past. The Minister said that were structural problems and that people were also involved in those issues and that he would take all measures to avert such a situation in the future.
The Minister said that the shortcomings that existed so far will be resolved as soon as possible and steps will be taken to avert the notorious activities of drug racketeers.
Minister Pathirana said that only three reactions were reported regarding the Immunoglobulin drug, and what happened at eye hospitals was that the safety of the drug was lost through a bacterium, and added that compensation would be paid.
He said that there is no imminent shortage of 14 drugs in the essential and life-saving category, and that they are ready to register high-quality suppliers to import drugs that are in short supply. He said that they are currently negotiating to obtain orders including essential medicines through agreements between Governments.
