Doctors’ Union warns of mismanaged drug supply despite government assurances

Colombo, Oct. 12 (Daily Mirror) - Although the Health Ministry and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) have repeatedly assured that Sri Lanka’s drug shortage will be completely resolved by early 2026, an oversupply of nearly a hundred essential and non-essential drug items has been reported in several major hospitals across the country, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

He said that, alongside the surplus, hospitals are still facing severe shortages of vital medicines and surgical supplies, highlighting a deep administrative and political failure within the health sector.

Dr. Sanjeewa said that senior officials of the Ministry of Health, dating back to the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, bear direct responsibility for the situation, while the current Health Minister and the SPC also share accountability for failing to manage the crisis effectively.

Despite numerous cabinet decisions aimed at addressing the issue, he said none have succeeded. The shortages currently affecting hospitals include critical drugs and surgical items such as IV Noradrenaline, IV Cefotaxime, IV Amikacin, Clarithromycin, Levofloxacin, Adenosine, Sodium Nitroprusside, Verapamil, Isoprenaline, Protamine Sulphate, Promethazine, GTN, Salbutamol oral solution, as well as surgical materials like prolene, polypropylene, nylon, and knee implants used in wound suturing.

Dr. Sanjeewa warned that the dwindling stocks of these medicines at the Medical Supplies Division and major hospital pharmacies have severely hindered patient care. He added that permitting regional or local emergency purchases of these drugs could lead to serious financial losses for the government.

He further criticized the Health Ministry Secretary for allowing regional purchases for over a year, calling it a “futile attempt to conceal administrative failures.” He accused the government of lacking a comprehensive strategy to procure medicines from suppliers at competitive prices.

Dr. Sanjeewa also alleged that the monopoly and poor governance within the SPC and the National Drug Regulatory Authority have worsened the crisis, as both institutions continue to act arbitrarily rather than engaging constructively with suppliers and manufacturers to resolve supply chain issues.

The Alliance of Doctors and Civil Rights Trade Unions expressed concern that these institutions may be violating national procurement procedures under the guise of cabinet approvals. Dr. Sanjeewa said the Alliance intends to pursue legal action in the near future regarding several such incidents.