Are we falling victim to substandard drugs?

Another questionable drug is now doing its rounds. According to sources, this drug has already claimed the lives of two youth raising doubts about the procurement of such medicines. Procurement of substandard medicines has become a norm over the recent past,  and it is doubtful as to whether the authorities are keen to monitor how such medicines reach the market. In response,  the government sacked the Colombo National Hospital’s Deputy Director Dr. Rukshan Bellana, who had been quite vocal about corruption that takes place within the health sector. Opposition factions have argued about the government’s silence towards this matter. They claim that the subject minister should be held accountable as in the previous instance. Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is now facing charges over the alleged importation  of human immunoglobulin vials. In fact,  the health of citizens shouldn’t be taken for granted in this manner. People have placed utmost faith in the health sector which was one of the best in South Asia sometime back. A former Minister recently questioned whether Sri Lanka had become a victim of Indian pharmacopeia. But only those authorised to sign these documents would know the real deal. Therefore it is up to the government to tell us what has happened. Of course we don’t expect another public appearance by the President in this post-disaster situation. But an explanation from the government would be timely. 

A concerned citizen