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Last Updated : 2024-05-19 23:42:00
23 January 2024 09:31 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Colombo, Jan 23 (Daily Mirror) - A leading private hospital in Colombo that stirred controversy by selling government price controlled drugs for exorbitant rates, had reportedly pleaded guilty in advance when the case was scheduled to be taken up today in the presence of the complainant and other state officials, the Daily Mirror learns.
National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) filed charges against eight directors and three other officials of the Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC for selling 11 medicines, which are listed with a maximum retail price, for higher prices, a spokesperson for the NMRA said.
The NMRA acting on a complaint lodged by a patient by the name Sanath Kumara Athukorala mid last year and conducting a probe into the matter had filed a case at the Maligakanda Magistrate Court in the last week of December. And the hospital authorities had been summoned to appear in courts on January 24.
However, when the complainant with his private lawyers as well as the officials from the NMRA Food and Drug Inspection Unit had gone to court today, the case had not been summoned as scheduled.
When inquired with the registrar’s office, the party had been told that the case was taken up in advance on January 17, when the defendant hospital had filed a motion ex parte and had pleaded guilty before an acting magistrate. The hospital had been imposed a fine of Rs.25, 000 for the charges filed against them.
The attempts made to contact the Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC for comment was futile today.
The Ministry of Health with the Cabinet endorsement publicized a list of 65 essential and most commonly used drugs with its maximum retail prices reduced by 16% with effect from June 15, 2023.
Chryshan Tuesday, 23 January 2024 11:22 PM
It should be summoned again and Sue the hospital for billions since every patient would have charged way beyond few hundred thousand over a period of time.
Alina Haji Omar Wednesday, 24 January 2024 01:32 AM
Blunder of Asia, small debacle, so corrupt, waste of paradise.
Kumara Choksanada Wednesday, 24 January 2024 01:33 AM
Chairman of Asiri should also run for president, we need more entrepreneurs of this calibre.
Christo255 Wednesday, 24 January 2024 03:15 AM
Pathirage's money talks even in justice system. Making hundreds of millions by selling medicine at higher rates and paying a mere 25000 fine. What a good business deal
Ram Wednesday, 24 January 2024 03:54 AM
AG or the Prosecutor must lodge an appeal. The procedure adopted is to receive an advantage for the suspects from the acting Magistrate. Rightly the acting Magistrate should have recorded the plea and put off the sentencing. If on the day the case was due to be called an acting Magistrate presided no issue.
Ram Wednesday, 24 January 2024 04:32 AM
If I am not mistaken about 15-20 years ago a senior lawyer filed a motion in a Court to over a matter on a Poya day without notice to the other party after arranging with the magistrate to sit on that day to get an advantage. This is a similar situation that ignores all ethics
Anil Wednesday, 24 January 2024 05:43 AM
How these happen in the courts ? Cases get settled without the participation of the complainant and in front of an acting magistrate.
Mahila Wednesday, 24 January 2024 05:49 AM
Is NOT this a Legal Manipulation!!??? Rs.25,000 is Peanuts to ORDEAL poor patients underwent to pay exorbitant Charge??? Some may have foregone the medication!!!
Lokka Wednesday, 24 January 2024 06:09 AM
Why a fine of 25000? Peanut!! Should be 250000.
Lokka Wednesday, 24 January 2024 06:09 AM
Why a fine of 25000? Peanut!! Should be 250000.
Robin Wednesday, 24 January 2024 08:12 AM
Private hospitals are money making machines only rich and privert health cover can effort government must regulate To have a balance with a reasonable price structure in privert hospitals licencing system to help take pressure from government hospitals create a balance like most countries do have a rebate given to the middle-class families etc..
Be Fair Wednesday, 24 January 2024 08:15 AM
Is this is possible to file a ex-parte and sort it out?
Sokrates Wednesday, 24 January 2024 08:59 AM
A bad joke. The hospital robbed millions from their patients and got only a fine of 25000.
Abu Umar Wednesday, 24 January 2024 09:15 AM
The judiciary also has become a joke in the land like no other...
Rip Winkle Wednesday, 24 January 2024 09:36 AM
JUST 25,000 MEASLY RUPEES? HOW MUCH WAS THE ACTING MAGISTRATE PAID?
Lucky Wednesday, 24 January 2024 09:37 AM
Who are these Directors of this Hospital ? The Public must be told of their names and they must be held accountable, although they have tried to escape being made known . Disgraceful !
Mohamed Adham Wednesday, 24 January 2024 09:40 AM
25k fine only for this gross infringement ??????? Imagine a small kade getting caught in this manner and the consequences that the small kade owner would have to face ????? This is ASIRI after all. So hey, its OK.
Parvathy Nambiar Wednesday, 24 January 2024 07:37 PM
Sick of hrarinh all this nonsense. When will Sri Lankans get to pay reasonaby and these scammers jOled
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