Strange expiry date on chemical

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Chemicals used to clean wounds with the expiry date (February 30, 2009) was seized from a private pharmacy in Kohuwela, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said.

National Drug Control Authority personnel who raided over 50 private pharmacies in Kohuwela and Boralesgamuwa found 15 pharmacies were not suitable to sell drugs.

Some pharmacies had certain drugs banned or taken out from the Sri Lankan market long time back while some other pharmacies did not have a qualified pharmacist. Some pharmacies sold drugs to the public without doctors' prescriptions.

Some of the pharmacies had stored drugs inside freezers with food and other items while some pharmacies were not registered. The Authority conducted the raid under the National Drug and Cosmetics Control Act, No. 28 of 1980.

Meanwhile the National Drugs Control Authority will file cases against 40 private pharmacies which violated the National Drug and Cosmetics Control Act, No. 28 of 1980. Countrywide raids are being carried out at the moment, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sources said. Sources said licences of these pharmacies will be cancelled.

The Authority raided almost all private pharmacies at Panadura on Tuesday and found 10 pharmacies had violated the Act.