Health Ministry to keep an eye on cold products

7 February 2011 04:53 pm

The Health Ministry today instructed provincial health authorities to check medicinal drugs, food items and drinks that had been stored in refrigerators at pharmacies, trade stalls, boutiques and super markets in flood affected areas for possible contamination or expiration, a Ministry spokesman said.

The discussion was held between Health authorities and representatives of the World Health Organization, World Children Fund, World Food Programme, World Population Fund, International Doctors’ Organization the UNICEF, Government Epidemiology Unit and the Medical Supplies Division,  chaired by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Ravindra Rubeu, Ministry spokesman W.M.D.Wanninayaka said.

The objective of the discussion was to prevent possible outbreak of communicable diseases at flood affected districts after the floods recede. All MOH offices have been instructed to carry out checks on drugs and foods with the assistance of food inspectors and PHIs, Mr. Wanninayaka said.

MOHs have been given instructions to destroy all contaminated and expired drugs and food items if and when they found at pharmacies, food stalls, hotels or supermarkets, he added.