MRI to get new multi drug analyzer

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry will install a multi drug analyzer worth Rs.20 million at the Medical Research Institute (MRI) for the benefit of kidney patients and others who need its service.

This medical test will cost around Rs.16,000 in the private sector, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman the drug analyzer at the MRI is now out of order and patients, especially kidney patients need to get this test done from the private sector.

The MRI carries out this test free of charge.

MRI Director Dr. Anil Samaranayake said that a drug named Cyclosporine prescribed to kidney patients during treatment and this drug can be toxic if given beyond the specific level. A machine named auto drug analyzer is being used to test the healthy level of this drug. The new machine will analyze not only Cyclosporine but also other drugs.

Once installed patients can get this expensive medical test done from the MRI free of charge, he added.