Lack of advanced lab leads to influx of low-quality drugs: Experts

11 July 2023 05:50 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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-Regulatory mechanism not functioning

-Experts call for revamping entire regulatory system of drugs

-NMRA too in a position to develop fully-equipped lab

The absence of an advanced laboratory to test the quality of pharmaceuticals has resulted in an influx of drugs of inferior quality in the market, leading to fatalities of patients at times, medical experts alleged.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Secretary of the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) Dr. Haritha Aluthge said Sri Lanka lacks a proper mechanism of regulating the quality of drugs, mostly imported from India.

“That’s why we have been urging the Health Ministry to establish an advanced laboratory with WHO accreditation to test the quality of all batches of drugs coming to the country. What is happening is that the quality of drugs is checked through the patients, which could result in deaths and complications as evident by the recent incidents,” Dr Aluthge said.

“We urge the Government to take prompt measures to set the tone to establish a quality assurance laboratory in collaboration with a suitable foreign body,” he added.

Dr. Aluthge said that a spate of unregistered drugs had entered the country under the emergency purchase, leading to serious concerns among medical professionals.

Commenting on the matter, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne told Daily Mirror that “Irrespective of the origin of the country, there is an independent mechanism of evaluating and improving drugs. Our concern is that National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has failed to effectively manage the due process resulting in a serious breach of confidence among doctors and people on the quality of drugs.”

“We have also noticed that several drugs are being imported by means of a provision called waiver of registration (WOR), which facilitates the import of specific drugs on an emergency basis. However, the NMRA has violated that process as well, leading to grave concerns with regard to the quality of certain drugs,” he argued.

“In this manner, it is evident that the regulatory mechanism of drugs is not functioning properly and there is an immediate need to have a comprehensive analysis as to how a sound testing on the drugs can be conducted,” Dr Ariyaratne added.

A senior official from the NMRA told Daily Mirror that there is an immediate necessity of establishing an advanced laboratory where almost all batches of drugs could be tested in order to ensure the quality of drugs. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Comments - 19

Kunchithapathan Tuesday, 11 July 2023 06:29 AM

Who will head that fully fledged scientific laboratory to test the pharmaceutical drugs imported into the country? But there are accredited independent laboratories to carryout tests on quality of drugs. As at now medical and pharma is run by mafia in Sri Lanka by having field day on our patients.

Senanayke Tuesday, 11 July 2023 06:47 AM

NMRA - decisions are taken by stupid pharmacists sitting there were last 20 years; they decide what cream Sri Lankan should apply for a few bugs. They decide whether entrepreneurs can make money by doing cosmetic business. So sad few stupid people hold the growth enthusiastic entrepreneur - this country never come up - Young generation has realised this.

Sinna Tuesday, 11 July 2023 06:50 AM

I feel unscrupulous, selfish politicians who are in charge of the subject and who are thinking only of themselves trying to rob even baggers basket risking lives of poor of the nation,by making more notorious dealings with foreign rogue medical businessmen

Nimal Tuesday, 11 July 2023 07:17 AM

What a lame excuse? These drugs were bought from reputed firms and the necessary tests had been performed in the countries of origin of these drugs. There were no major issues with these drugs. It is only when the authorities brought drugs from unregistered companies that these problems arose. Many people lost their sight and many others paid with their lives for the greed of these corrupt politicians and officials. What a crime?

Jude Tuesday, 11 July 2023 07:17 AM

Minister going for low quality for high commissions!! Yeah!!

Sam Silva Tuesday, 11 July 2023 05:30 PM

They have to give low quality and sacrifice the people in order to purchase fuel to keep the people happy.

Suren Sarathkumara Tuesday, 11 July 2023 07:30 AM

This is crap. If the problem is labs, why do we witness the deaths only now? This is only a cover up of the blunders of the MoH and the minister himself.

Jude Tuesday, 11 July 2023 07:34 AM

This country will never progress with the present bunch of politicians !! No way, people, The voters must make The change happen!! Elect The රතු සහෝදරයන් to run this country for next 10-15 years!!

Jude Tuesday, 11 July 2023 07:45 AM

For the last 75 years it was the voters that Made The wrong choices!! In the history of SL elections it was never Rigged!! It was The voters who made the wrong choice because they the voters got fooled by the majority of unscrupulous politicians!!

ANTON Tuesday, 11 July 2023 08:06 AM

THANKS FOR TELLING US, WE'LL LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM AND PROPOSE NECESSARY REMIDIAL ACTIONS.

Siribiris Aiya Tuesday, 11 July 2023 10:05 AM

In the past and present it is evident that: low-quality drugs make low-quality politicians and henchmen or low quality politicians and henchmen make low quality drugs!

F.K. Senanayake - Legal Advisor Tuesday, 11 July 2023 10:18 AM

Best option is to hand-over the Health Sector to a Foreign body to run independently without any political or Union interference...

Leel Amarasooriya - Health Dept. Snr. Staff Tuesday, 11 July 2023 10:22 AM

Ranil change the Health Minister immediately and avoid further problems, it is proven that he gets huge amount on drug importation and brining drugs without any quality,

sam Tuesday, 11 July 2023 11:21 AM

Health administrators should have addressed this

Patient Tuesday, 11 July 2023 11:34 AM

GMOA and SLMA must pursue action vigorously on behalf of the patients till corrective action is taken. Keheliya may want to stick on as he may have to safeguard his supplier friends with whom he may have an understanding ?

DOT Tuesday, 11 July 2023 12:30 PM

Justification is not acceptable! Which means you need more money for labs!

Sylvester Alwis Tuesday, 11 July 2023 01:28 PM

What is the point, buying cheap medicine for lower prices and paying higher price for the lab. Instead, buy from reputed companies at higher/reasonable prices to avoid paying for advanced-lab. Because you can trust reputation.

Bandu Tuesday, 11 July 2023 01:42 PM

The MRA was functioning very well during tenure of Harendra and Carlo Fonseka. When they refused to tow the line it was the GMOA that wanted them out and even now GMOA has many officials proposed by them so that the blame is with GMOA and Gota. Now the GMOA is trying to get credit points,

Manage Wednesday, 12 July 2023 05:07 PM

Health minister doesn't have the capacity to understand the value of human lives. He and other alibabas of pothujanaperamuna only know how to corrupt the country.

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Lack of advanced lab leads to influx of low-quality drugs: Experts

Comments - 19

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