Sri Lanka inquires about faulty pills
Tries to find out whether the faulty medicine has been imported by or sold in the Sri Lankan market.
COLOMBO:
Sri Lanka’s leading pharmaceutical regulatory watchdog body Saneka Bible Memorial Committee has sought clarification from the country’s health ministry to find out whether the faulty medicine Isosorbide-Mononirtate has been imported by or sold in the Sri Lankan market.
Committee Chairman Dr Jayanatha Bandara, in a letter sent to Sri Lanka Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, expressed concern over the medical debacle and inquired if the health ministry of Sri Lanka had been officially informed about the drug poisoning cases by Pakistan. Dr Bandara also asked the Sri Lanka Department of Health to initiate an awareness programme for all health personnel, pharmacists and the general public at large about the correct use of the medicine.
The Sri Lanka Health Services Director General Dr Mendis had earlier announced that a warning had been issued to all concerned parties regarding the use of spurious medicine which was imported from Pakistan. He, however, clarified that investigations have revealed that there was no import or stock of the faulty medicine in the country.
A representative of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Sudesh Jayalaktane said: “We are taking precautions on a country-wide level so that the faulty medicine is not supplied or imported into the country.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2012.
Sri Lanka’s leading pharmaceutical regulatory watchdog body Saneka Bible Memorial Committee has sought clarification from the country’s health ministry to find out whether the faulty medicine Isosorbide-Mononirtate has been imported by or sold in the Sri Lankan market.
Committee Chairman Dr Jayanatha Bandara, in a letter sent to Sri Lanka Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, expressed concern over the medical debacle and inquired if the health ministry of Sri Lanka had been officially informed about the drug poisoning cases by Pakistan. Dr Bandara also asked the Sri Lanka Department of Health to initiate an awareness programme for all health personnel, pharmacists and the general public at large about the correct use of the medicine.
The Sri Lanka Health Services Director General Dr Mendis had earlier announced that a warning had been issued to all concerned parties regarding the use of spurious medicine which was imported from Pakistan. He, however, clarified that investigations have revealed that there was no import or stock of the faulty medicine in the country.
A representative of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Sudesh Jayalaktane said: “We are taking precautions on a country-wide level so that the faulty medicine is not supplied or imported into the country.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2012.