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Osusala to launch online app soon to facilitate patients

1 April 2020 05:09 pm - 6     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Commenting on the difficulties faced by patients to purchase medicinal drugs from state-owned ‘Osusala' outlets and private pharmacies, Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said only one third of employees of Osusala are on duty due to the prevailing situation in the country. However to ease the congestion, the SPC would introduce an online app shortly for patients who could directly approach any of the 48 Osusala outlets in the country. However, Dr. Gunasena lamented that Google, which has been tasked with the creation of the app has requested ten days for the job. “There are about 3,500 private pharmacies and 48 Osusala outlets in the country. Only Osusala have been allowed to open during curfew hours. In order to maintain uninterrupted service once the curfew is lifted, we call only one thirds of the work force of Osusala to work on shift basis. Therefore, the congestion at Osusala outlets is understandable. However, if the Health Ministry could obtain the services of the Sri Lanka Army to distribute drugs from private pharmacies or permit patients to obtain drugs prescribed by private hospitals and doctors from government hospitals, that would be a great relief for patients,” Dr. Gunasena stressed. He added that patients were used to send their prescriptions on whatsapp to personal mobile phones of Osusala employees. “Normally, they receive about 200 requests per day through whatsapp, but these days they get about 2,000 requests per day which they cannot cope with. The sudden rush of demands and the limited number of staff have aggravated the situation,” he noted. However, Dr. Gunasena expressed confidence that the situation would improve after the online app on behalf of the Osusala was launched shortly and added each Osusala outlet will be given a tab to receive prescriptions from patients. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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  Comments - 6

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  • Adam Speak Wednesday, 01 April 2020 06:58 PM

    Timely Invention

    Wesley G Wednesday, 01 April 2020 07:12 PM

    the young graduates who recently recruited but still at home due announcement of the election, can work as support team under qualified pharmacists and these young fellows even can use to deliver medicine to door steps according to new concept

    Sambo Wednesday, 01 April 2020 09:29 PM

    By the time you people launch the app people will be dead. Most who takes medication from the Osu Sala are poor and they will not know to use apps as they are not that educated. You are making life more complicated for the already complicated people.

    Jude Fernando Wednesday, 01 April 2020 10:31 PM

    Leaving aside the crisis situation, even if things were normal Osu Sala won't be able to perform. They just don't have motivation and drive to do so.

    Sunil Thursday, 02 April 2020 07:37 AM

    An organization that was launched many decades ago, especially through the dedicated efforts of great men like Prof Senaka Bibile to bring medicines within the reach of the common man has failed us very badly. This is sheer neglect of duties.

    cineha Thursday, 02 April 2020 08:47 AM

    Knowing the capacity of Osu Sala well why they shut down all the private pharmacies is the BIG question.


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