Tough action against Indian companies

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

In accordance with the recommendations of the Expert Panel appointed by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry to inquire into contaminated drug vials, the Ministry has decided to take tough action against the Indian medicine manufacturers.

A full scale probe has been conducted by the Expert Panel regarding the recent issues in the health sector such as the death following injection of the Rubella vaccine, discovery of certain particles in drug vials and finding contaminated saline bottles in several hospitals.

The report of the special investigation conducted by the Expert Committee was handed over to Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage by National Drug and Cosmetic Devices Authority Director Dr. Hemantha Benaragama recently.

In terms to the suggestions and recommendations made by the Committee, the Healthcare and Nutritions Ministry is to take tough action against three Indian drug manufacturers while three others will be advised to fulfil certain guidelines and suggestions.

The drugs of three companies, which contain glass particles will be banned in Sri Lanka for two years. In addition the whole batch of drug vials which contain glass particles will be withdrawn from the hospitals and the loss will be recovered from the suppliers, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

It has been revealed that there is nothing wrong with the Anti venom serum except for the storage procedure followed locally. The drug hasn't been stored under proper temperature when storing. However, even if there is no product failure, the company which supplied the Anti venom serum has agreed to replace the serum with a fresh batch free of charge.

Two companies including the company which supplied anti venom serum have also been advised to produce the BMP report.

"The Expert Committee report regarding another Indian company is yet to be released," the sources added.