Unregistered Indian cancer drugs allegedly sold near major hospitals-Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa

Colombo, Jan. 19 (Daily Mirror) - Amid an ongoing shortage of essential cancer medicines in state hospitals, serious concerns have been raised over the sale of unregistered Indian drugs in private pharmacies across the country.

Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that he has informed the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) in writing that several unregistered medicines, including cancer drugs imported from India, are being sold in external pharmacies.

In his letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the NMRA, Dr. Sanjeewa said that medicines not registered with the Sri Lanka Drug Regulatory Authority are openly available, particularly in pharmacies located near major hospitals. He drew special attention to pharmacies operating in front of the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, as well as several other outlets across the island.

According to Dr. Sanjeewa, while some of these drugs are sold at prices lower than the prevailing market rates, others—especially medicines currently not supplied by the government—are being sold at prices several times higher than normal.

He further said that the shortage of cancer medicines at the Apeksha Hospital has forced medical specialists to direct patients to obtain drugs from private pharmacies outside the hospital premises.

Highlighting a specific case, Dr. Sanjeewa said a patient admitted to the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital was advised to purchase Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposomal Injection 50mg/25ml from an external pharmacy due to its unavailability at the hospital. The patient’s relatives later purchased the drug from a private pharmacy opposite the hospital at a cost of nearly Rs. 30,000.

Subsequent checks revealed that the medicine, sold under the brand name Lipopod and labelled as being manufactured by Celon Laboratory Pvt Ltd in Telangana, India, was not registered with the NMRA.

The specialist in charge later observed that the patient’s condition did not improve after the administration of the drug, making it necessary to prescribe an additional medicine. As a result, the total cost of treatment reportedly increased to nearly Rs. 55,000.

Dr. Sanjeewa has urged the NMRA to clarify the legal basis under which unregistered medicines are being sold in private pharmacies near major hospitals, whether any price regulation exists for such drugs, and what legal action has been taken against the pharmacies and agents involved. He also called for urgent raids on external pharmacies near hospitals to ensure patient safety and maintain public confidence in the healthcare system.