Minister tells drug suppliers:

Cut out delays

Nadira Gunatilleke

Drug suppliers who obtained tenders from the Health Ministry should make sure that they supply drugs as promised without delays or interruptions, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

Minister Sirisena said the government's policy is protecting local entrepreneurs and no foreign drug company without local agents will be allowed to supply drugs to the Health Ministry. "It is the sole responsibility of local drug suppliers to supply drugs without a creating drug shortage," he said.

Minister Sirisena said certain local drug suppliers were not supplying drugs as promised and as a result drug shortages affect state hospitals. A large amount of money is required to purchase drugs locally when the supply is interrupted, he said.

Minister Sirisena told drug suppliers to forward their practical problems to the government for solutions to establish a smooth drug supply.