Probe into SPC 'Group's' artificial drug shortage

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Bribery and Corruption Commission has launched two investigations on artificial drug shortages created by an organized group within the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

The investigations have been launched on a Ministry request, the spokesman said. According to the spokesman the ministry had discovered recently that a well-organized group attached to the SPC had launched a conspiracy prior to the Presidential Election to create artificial drug shortages in state health institutions.

An investigation by the ministry revealed that this `outfit' within the SPC is still carrying out their `operation' successfully aiming the General Election.

The Ministry handed over the case to the Bribery and Corruption Commission after the latest load (98 drugs) of life saving drugs purchased from India by a special team held up at the Sri Lanka customs without getting cleared.

Some of these essential life saving drugs are urgently required by Maharagama National Cancer Hospital.

The ministry purchased 98 essential life saving drugs by sending a special team to India to avoid drug shortages, he said.