No Thyrocsin shortage

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry is not responsible for the Thyrocsin shortage that exists in the private sector at the moment. There is no Thyrocsin shortage in the State sector and adequate stocks are available.

Thyrocsin tablets are freely available at all Osusala outlets, State hospitals and all the other State drug stores and outlets, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

He said around three months ago the Drug Authority recall a stock of Thyrocsin tablets released to the market after detecting a quality failure. The Ministry recall the stock in order to ensure the safety and well-being of patients.

Thyrocsin tablets are being prescribed for patients with Thyrocsin deficiency, cancer in the Thyroid Gland, pregnant mothers to prevent still births and for various other health problems.

The spokesman said Sri Lanka requires two million Thyrocsin tablets per year. Usually Thyrocsin tablets can be kept in stores only for a period of two months and both local and foreign manufacturers go into production only after they receive the order.

There are local suppliers who supply Thyrocsin for the State and private sector and rest of the requirement imported from abroad. There are only two foreign manufacturers. Therefore it takes some time to obtain required stocks from the manufacturers.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry is not responsible for the Thyrocsin shortage in the private sector and the Ministry cannot interfere to solve the issue because it is in the private sector.

The drug companies have already been informed to supply quality Thyrocsin and the producers have already commenced production.

The shortage will end when new stocks are replenished. All patients who require Thyrocsin tablets can obtain them from State sector drug outlets and State hospitals without any difficulty, he added.