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115 drugs fail quality tests in 2023

23 November 2023 11:48 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - A total of 115 drugs have failed quality tests so far in 2023 recording the highest number of quality failures of drugs in a year, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.

Of the drugs that have failed quality tests, about 58 were manufactured in India, while 45 drugs were locally produced and the others had originated from countries like China, Pakistan, Japan and Bangladesh etc.

Among the drugs identified as having failed the quality tests, some have been withdrawn, withheld or discontinued.

Besides, a total of 35 batches of Flucloxacillin Cap have been withdrawn in May, recording the highest so far since 2017, in terms of the number of batches. The particular drug has been manufactured by the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation in Ratmalana.

According to the Health Ministry, there have been a total of nearly 600 cases of quality failures since 2017. The highest number of such cases numbering 96 were reported in 2019, while 86 drugs had failed quality tests in 2022.

The quality issues in drugs made headlines with several complications and deaths being reported in 2023.


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  Comments - 10

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  • Bandu Thursday, 23 November 2023 12:34 PM

    These test results are of drugs already imported or manufactured mean they are in the hospitals and pharmacies. Should not these be tested before distribution.

    Mafia at work Thursday, 23 November 2023 01:28 PM

    Check all the drugs imported by the big pharmaceutical companies. They are the biggest culprits. All the so called executive directors are traveling in flashy vehicles at the cost of the patients lives. The directors and senior staff are not even fit to run a corner shop, as they lack their basic qualifications. However they are all clever in doing illegal business and portraying to the world that they are some highly intellectual people. A laughing stock!!!

    Aquarius Thursday, 23 November 2023 11:37 PM

    Our system is so damn corrupt from importers to distributers. These idiots are playing with innocent peoples lives. They should be given the punishment of our ancestors - to be tied between two trees! What a country!!!!

    Jude Friday, 24 November 2023 02:32 AM

    That's the reason Most politicians Go overseas for medical treatments Coz no faith in our own medical treatments, for starters there's substandard drugs.

    dotv Friday, 24 November 2023 02:57 AM

    Drugs failing in quality tests ?.The worry of the moment is not limited to the fraud but the impact on the user , the vulnerable patient who may be suffering the long term side effects and may be now seeking help ignorant of this abuse of trust . Is there a mechanism to track down the patients involved ? .How will they be compensated , its a great humanitarian service for a law firm to take out this issue for class action. on behalf of the patients who were subjected to this abuse of trust .

    A concerned citizen Friday, 24 November 2023 04:26 AM

    A lawyer representing the accused of importing poor quality drugs had stated in the Court that the 'big brain' behind the import of drugs of poor quality is in the Cabinet. How come the President wants to keep him in the Cabinet? Maybe because most of the ministers are the brains behind various crimes.

    Punchi Friday, 24 November 2023 05:51 AM

    My ganja also tastes different. Now I know why

    Oswald Nilantha Friday, 24 November 2023 07:22 AM

    Why not introduce ISO quality control and manufacture all possible at SPMC?

    Geetanjali Friday, 24 November 2023 07:46 AM

    So Japan ,india and china drugs are not correct then import from usa only though I am not sure it would pass the standard.

    Little bro seeking strength Friday, 24 November 2023 06:30 PM

    Ohhhhh, Now I found the reason why my performance pill did not work these days even with a big variety..... plz import quality Sildenafil to cherish my little bro.


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