Purchasing drugs, pharmaceuticals:

Ministerial sub-committee to change tender procedure

A ministerial sub committee consisting four ministers has been appointed to consider changing the existing tender system to purchase pharmaceuticals, laboratory equipment and surgical instruments needed for local hospitals.

This sub committee has been appointed according to a Cabinet paper submitted by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena last Wednesday to consider purchasing drugs and pharmaceuticals directly from the governments' of nearby countries such as India and Bangladesh.

The sub committee consist of International Monetary Cooperation Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama, Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Tissa Vitarana, Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The Health Ministry has been facing numerous problems due to the weaknesses of existing procedure of purchasing pharmaceuticals to local hospitals. Drugs and pharmaceuticals were not received at the required time in required quantities. The minister had made this proposal after personally discussing the matter with the President.

The minister revealed above information addressing the 51st Anniversary Ceremony of the Anuradhapura General hospital. The minister also said that he wishes to have a discussion with the Indian Health Minister and Indian pharmaceutical companies next month over this move.

He further said that the government has increased its financial allocation to purchase drugs and medicine from Rs 12,000 million to Rs 16,000 million.