Action against errant drug suppliers

Nadira Gunatilleke

Arrangements will be made to strengthen the entire drug registration system and the quality control system of drugs in Sri Lanka. Action will be taken against drug suppliers who violate tender conditions, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Acting Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke said.

According to Dr. Jayatilleke the buffer stock of drugs purchased by the special team sent to India will arrive in the country within the next few days.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sent a special team to India to purchase 98 essential drugs required after another three months.

The Government allocated Rs.13.5 billion to import drugs. The amount was Rs.12 billion in 2008.

The drugs ordered from India are worth around Rs. 200 million. Most drugs had been purchased from Indian suppliers who have been registered in Sri Lanka.

The other drugs had been purchased from reputed drug suppliers registered in India, he said. He said sometimes a drug shortage gets reported when the drug is not available in the counter of the hospital, hospital drug store or in the region. Sometimes drug suppliers who take contracts do not supply required drugs on time. The Ministry is compelled to spend a large amount when buying drugs locally and required amounts are not available in the local market at most times, he added.