Unnecessary drugs off the shelf

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

All unnecessary drugs will be taken off the shelf through the proposed National Drug Policy.

Over 10,000 varieties and over 40,000 brands of drugs are in use in the country. Some drugs have over 25 brands. However the actual requirement is only 3,000 varieties, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said. According to the minister, doctors have pointed out that only around 3,000 varieties of drugs are required to treat health conditions.

Minister Sirisena said the availability of low quality, expired and banned drugs are some of the problems caused by the availability of a large number of unnecessary drugs in the country.

The proposed National Drug Policy will be presented in Parliament within the next four months, the minister added.