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Bibile loyalists want to take Rajitha to court over NMRA decisions

5 June 2016 02:57 pm - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Prof. Senaka Bibile Commemorative Association (SBCA) today said they would take legal action against Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne for allegedly sabotaging work of the National Medicinal Regulatory Authority (NMRA), in support of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

National Organiser of the SBCA Dr. Jayantha Bandara told a media briefing yesterday that they would file a case in court against the Health Minister for his actions, which he said had violated the terms of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act.

“Two eminent medical professionals, Prof. Lal Jayakody, Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the Colombo University and Prof. Krishantha Weerasuriya, South Asian Drug Policy Advisor to the World Health Organisation, who were serving as the NMRA’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer respectively were asked to step down by the Health Minister.

“He did so because the two medical professionals were a threat to multinational pharmaceutical companies, because they introduced new regulations to control the prices of medicine for the betterment of innocent patients,” Dr. Bandara said.

He claimed that Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Kelaniya University, Prof. Asitha De Silva, who is also a director of a multinational pharmaceutical company, was tipped to take office as Chairman of the NMRA, following the decision of the Health Minister.

Dr. Bandara said there was clear evidence to prove that Prof. Asitha De Silva dealt with a particular company, where he was holding a director post, during clinical trials of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Kelaniya University.

He said two more persons had been appointed to two sections of the NMRA, despite they are from fields different from the appointed sections. (Piyumi Fonseka)


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  • Priya Sunday, 05 June 2016 03:59 PM

    Health Minister has to step down before he is brought down. President Sirisena himself confirmed that Prof. Bibiles drug policy will be implemented. via DM iOS App

    malij Sunday, 05 June 2016 04:06 PM

    What is happening?? The people were waiting for the implementation of the drug policy and were led to believe that the delay was due to the ineffectiveness of the top people at National Medicinal Regulatory Authority (NMRA).??

    Donny Sunday, 05 June 2016 04:20 PM

    This Minister has to be taken to task if these stories are true.Law should be for every body. Otherwise we will be going back to Mahinda Rajapaksa era again.

    rohan Monday, 06 June 2016 03:49 AM

    Here goes another election promise. Implementing a drug policy in Sri Lanka. Now this government working against it. via DM Android App

    Sri Lankans Monday, 06 June 2016 07:58 AM

    Very good. Where ever corruption is, it must be eliminated.

    praba Monday, 06 June 2016 08:55 AM

    I though President MS said that then president did not let him fight against drug companies. I wonder who is the president now?

    mal Monday, 06 June 2016 10:40 AM

    All parties concerned fight to do something good for the ordinary people. When fight ends situation is same or worse. Still they serve people...... This is Siri Lanka.

    Mr.Simple Monday, 06 June 2016 11:42 AM

    You need not to go to Courts,request your entire Doctors and Specialists to prescribe only the generic name of the medicine .Let the Pharmacist give the best quality medicines undergeneric name.

    jayamal Monday, 06 June 2016 12:20 PM

    The entire healthcare sector is a mess. Doctors are looked after well by Multinational Pharma companies. They keep on prescribing expensive brands. Yahapalanaya gave doctors to charge Rs.2000 as consultation fees which majority of the poor cannot afford. Finally Marapalanaya

    malij Monday, 06 June 2016 01:10 PM

    Giving the Pharmacist the option would be like "Kehi geni deela hotu geni gatta wage"


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