National drug policy: draft bill to be presented to President today

10 March 2014 04:09 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The long- awaited legislation that provides for the introduction of a national drug policy in line with the recommendations of Prof. Senaka Bibile has been drawn up, and a copy of it will be presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa today, a spokesman said.

The bill is aimed at prescribing pharmaceuticals to patients under their generic names and preventing patients from being exploited by what the Health ministry referred to as the ‘drug mafia’.

A ministry spokesman told Daily Mirror that the bill was drafted despite various obstacles placed in its path by the drug mafia.

The late Prof. Bibile is renowned for his pharmaceutical reforms, and he advocated the concept of ‘safe medicines for all, affordable to those able to pay, free to those who cannot pay’. His policy stressed the need to regulate the import of drugs and their use in the country.

Ministry spokesman Dharma Wanninayake said a copy of the bill would be handed over to the President by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to coincide with the beginning of the national health week.

“The Ministry formulated the policy and referred it to the Legal Draftsman’s Department in 2011 to be drafted into a bill. Yet, it disappeared mysteriously. Later we made fresh efforts to formulate the bill. Now it has become a reality,” he said.

After handing over the bill to the President, it will next be sent to Cabinet for approval. Once Cabinet clears the bill, it will be presented in Parliament,” he said. (Kelum Bandara)

Final draft of National drugs Act Presented to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pic by President's media

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Comments - 7

Perumal Monday, 10 March 2014 04:35 AM

Is heroine also within the definition of "Drug"

Menu Monday, 10 March 2014 10:14 AM

Don'nt be a fool perumal. via DM Android App

ram Monday, 10 March 2014 05:37 AM

what will be the % to the family .

Chandima Monday, 10 March 2014 05:52 AM

Professor Senaka Bibile was killed by this drug mafia. It is happy that it is becoming a reality.

Chandima Monday, 10 March 2014 06:14 AM

[quote name="ram"]what will be the % to the family .[/quote]

:)
This shows your knowledge on this matter...

Bawnis Kalubaba Monday, 10 March 2014 06:39 AM

This is a drama staged by the Govt. prior to the Elections. SriLankans are not fools....

M.Muttha Tuesday, 11 March 2014 08:23 AM

Senaka Bibile, the honourable man, where art thou? They are selling your name in SL to the music of pharmaceutical mafia. via DM iPad app

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National drug policy: draft bill to be presented to President today

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