Inquire into Paracetamol purchase

14 February 2011 09:32 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena today instructed Health Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu to inquire into the purchase of 100 million Paracetamol tablets from the open market after the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) mysteriously delayed supplying the required stocks.

A Health Ministry spokesman said the minister had decided to even call in the CID to investigate the matter after Dr. Ruberu presented his report.

“The matter came to light after the health ministry received several complaints about a countrywide shortage of Paracetamol tablets at state hospitals during the past few weeks,” the spokesman said.

He said the Minister had instructed officials and the Kurunegala Provincial Director of Health Services to send a report on the shortage of Paracetamol at the Mawathagama Base Hospital last week.

The spokesman said preliminary investigations had revealed that the SPC had failed to supply the required quantity of Paracetamol required by the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) and thus leading to the shortage.

Later the minister had learnt that the MSD had purchased a stock of 100 million Paracetamol tablets at a cost of Rs.37 million from the open market under the ‘Emergency Purchase’ tag.

The spokesman said the Minister was baffled as to how the CPC had failed to meet the MSD requirement when there were ample stocks in the open market of Paracetamol manufactured by the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, (SPMC).

He said Dr. Ruberu would also ascertain whether there had been a deliberate delay by the SPC in supplying this essential drug with the intention of creating an artificial shortage and if so expose those responsible.

The SPC holds the monopoly in the supply of drugs to the MSD while the MSD is authorized to purchase drugs from the open market in an emergency.

Out of a total health bill of Rs.14.6 billion, the 2011 budget has allocated the health ministry Rs.9.18 billion to purchase 1,200 varieties of drugs, 700 varieties of surgical items and 3,700 varieties of laboratory equipment. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Comments - 9

Lanka Hamaduru Monday, 14 February 2011 09:43 AM

concerned Party people don't have time to look at these. They are dieing for up-coming election to poor votes from the people of this country.

Rohan Monday, 14 February 2011 09:46 AM

OUr health minister looks very smart to the public. knowledgeable people can easly identify his looks in this picture.

Konde bendapu china Monday, 14 February 2011 10:14 AM

Mr.Minister so far you are doing fine I mean Much better than Nimal Siripala

SIRA Monday, 14 February 2011 01:14 PM

UNBELIEVABLE STUFF. ALL THIS IS HAPPENING UNDER THE VERY NOSES OF MINISTERS. WHATEVER HAS
HAPP[ENED TO CONTROLS, SUPERVISION AND MONITORING MECHANISMS ?

KULENDRA DE VASS Monday, 14 February 2011 01:46 PM

Well done minister, Your name appear on the papers every time I read. I am sure your work is appreciated by the all Sri Lankans

Citizen Monday, 14 February 2011 03:34 PM

Well done Dr Ruberu! Take care yourself !

Cobra Tuesday, 15 February 2011 02:55 AM

Oh, all this news of corruption gives me a mega 'headache'!

rajitha Tuesday, 15 February 2011 04:36 AM

Puhul Hora karen dene

ampare son Wednesday, 16 February 2011 01:21 AM

so many low quality medicine in the market.

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Inquire into Paracetamol purchase

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