Pharmacy gives wrong drug to health minister

Nethali Struys

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena was issued a wrong drug by a private pharmacy at Castle Street Colombo on Saturday. Following this, raids were conducted in and around Colombo, and legal action taken against several pharmacies and a drug store under the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority, Health Ministry spokesman W M D Wanninayake said.

The raids were carried out in Orugodawatta, Wellampitiya, Dematagoda, Kolonnawa, Attidiya, Moratuwa and Panadura. Twenty four pharmacies, two vehicles transporting drugs and a drug store were subjected to the raids.

Following the raids, legal action was taken against 10 Osusala outlets, four pharmacies which did not possess licences, while four others which issued drugs without the prescriptions were also penalized.

The raids are to be carried out islandwide.