Drug shortage to end soon

Nadira Gunatilleke

The existing drug shortage in some State hospitals will end within the next two weeks even before the (three months) given by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, a Ministry spokesman said.

Only 85 drugs to be supplied to certain hospitals and 100 drugs imported by the Ministry is distributed among hospitals.

The special team in India to purchase drugs will send the 85 drugs to Sri Lanka in a week. The Ministry has also formulated a plan to monitor drug shortages at any hospital.

Earlier, the Health Ministry decided to change the drug purchasing strategy to ensure the quality of drugs imported from India.

The Ministry purchases drugs only from companies registered with the Indian Government. The Ministry has also decided to recommence providing drugs manufactured by the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) to State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), he said.