International assistance to combat COVID-19 virus Sri Lanka receives large stocks of medicines and medical equipment

By Sandun A. Jayasekera 

While a number of countries and international organisations are coming forward to help Sri Lanka to combat COVID-19 viral infection, the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) has increased its production to meet the challenge, a senior official of the  SPMC said yesterday.   

General Manager, SPMC, Sujeewa Jayasundara said that the Corporation produces 78 essential drugs right now and a decision had been taken to increase the production of medicines given to COVID-19 victims.

   
“Pacidol prescribed as a pain killer and for fever, Metformin given to control sugar level, Lorsano Potassium given to treat hypertension and Atorvastatin given to control bad cholesterol are some essential drugs which we have decided to increase production,” he said.   

These drugs also have a high demand in the market and with the spread of COVID-19 we have witnessed that the demand has increased dramatically,” Mrs. Jayasundara said.   

The Sri Lanka branch of AvidHRT  a US company involved in medical education donated 50 One-Led ECG machines worth Rs. 1.2 million, to be used to check body temperature and the rate of the heart beat, to the Health Ministry yesterday.   

The London Stock Exchange Group and UNICEF meanwhile donated medical equipment worth Rs. 50 million which included multi-para meter monitors, Sphygnomanometers,BP apparatus etc.   

Several local and foreign tenders were opened yesterday at the Health Ministry to select bidders to import essential drugs for the second half of 2020.   China has meanwhile donated medicine and medical equipment worth Rs. 500 million he said.

The Corporation produces 78 essential drugs right now and a decision  had been taken to increase the production of medicines given to COVID-19  victims