SPC's failure to supply tablets on time:

Full scale inquiry ordered

Nadira Gunatilleke

Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu will conduct a full investigation to find out why the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) failed to supply 100 million Paracetamol tablets on time forcing the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) to purchase the stock from the private sector.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has already ordered an investigation, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, Minister Sirisena will seek the assistance of the CID to conduct further investigations into the same matter if necessary.

The Health Ministry received several complaints about a strange shortage of Paracetamol tablets at state hospitals countrywide during the past few weeks.

Last week Minister Sirisena instructed officials and the Kurunegala Provincial Director of Health Services to send a report on the shortage of Paracetamol at the Mawathagama Base Hospital. Initial investigations had revealed that the SPC had failed to supply the required stock of Paracetamol requested by the MSD, he said.

It is revealed that the MSD had purchased a stock of 100 million Paracetamol tablets at a cost of Rs37 million from the open market under the 'Emergency Purchase' tag to meet the demand.

Dr Ruberu would also ascertain whether there had been a deliberate delay by the SPC in supplying this essential drug with the intention of creating an artificial shortage and if so expose those responsible, he added.