Low quality drugs give Minister a headache

Low quality and counterfeit drugs available in the market is a big problem in Sri Lanka, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

"Even state hospitals are supplied with low quality and probably counterfeit drugs," the Minister said.

The Minister also said the US State Department, US Embassy in Sri Lanka, US Chamber of Commerce and the National Intellectual Property Office have extended support to protect Sri Lankans from counterfeit drugs.

There are instances where even a pharmacist cannot tell the difference between a fake and a genuine drug, Sirisena said.

"We have to educate patients on features in the packaging that help distinguish the real from the fake. Pharmacists must visit pharmacies and other places where drugs are administered," he added.

NG