Air conditioning compulsory for all pharmacies
Nethali Struys
All pharmacies and drug stores islandwide are being ordered to have
air conditioned premises for protecting the quality and the effect of
the drugs sold by them, according a Health Ministry spokesman.
He pointed out all medicinal drugs should be stored below 24 degrees
Celsius so as to protect its quality. Since Sri Lanka's temperature is
above 24 Celsius the Ministry has decided air conditioning pharmacies
compulsory.
He revealed that subjecting a drug to a higher temperature will cause
to reduce the efficacy of the drug.
Further the lifespan, and the quality will also be affected.
Temperature can cause chemical reactions in the contents of the
medicine, he added.
Therefore air conditioning will be compulsory for all pharmacies.
Hereafter licences will only be issued for new pharmacies only if
they are air conditioned whilst pharmacies which already have receiver
licences but without air conditioning should comply with the new
regulation within six months.
Failing to do so will result in licences not being renewed for next
year the spokesman added.
This is being done with a view to protecting the quality and the
effect of the drugs, he pointed out. |