Probe launched into Ondansetron batch after deaths, use suspended

Colombo, Dec 17 (Daily Mirror) - The investigations are underway into a batch of the anaesthesia-related drug Ondansetron, following reports of two deaths that raised concerns over its safety, Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni said.

He told media that Ondansetron is commonly administered to prevent side effects during anaesthesia.

He noted that millions of doses of the drug have been imported and used since April, with no adverse reactions reported until November.

According to Wijemuni, five patients at the Jayewardenepura Hospital reported minor side effects last month. These cases were reviewed by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), which allowed continued use of the drug while advising vigilance and further testing.

However, suspicion regarding the drug arose following the death of a patient on November 12. By that time, a doctor at the Kandy National Hospital had conducted laboratory tests on the drug and released related data. Based on these findings, the NMRA instructed hospitals across the country to immediately suspend the use of the specific batch under investigation.