Minister Sirisena to have discussions with Indian authorities

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena will leave for India today (1) to participate in discussions aimed at ensuring the quality of medicine purchased by Sri Lanka from Indian drugs manufactures. He will also discuss with Indian health authorities the possibility of buying medicine without wasting much time.

The Sri Lankan Health Ministry is buying about 80 percent of its medicine from Indian drugs companies. However, due to many reasons the Health Ministry tends to purchase medicine of low quality from such companies. The government hospitals also face shortages of medicine from time to time.

The Sri Lankan Health Minister during his tour will also meet with his Indian counterpart Ambumani Ramdos and the officials of the Indian Drug Chamber as well as supplies of medicine to the Sri Lankan Health Ministry.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena is also due to participate in a conference on immunization to be held today and tomorrow in New Delhi with the participation of parliamentarians from South Western region countries.