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Several eye patients suffer complications after use of Indian medicine

8 May 2023 03:37 pm - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The eyesight of ten individuals who had undergone eye surgeries at the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital have weakened due to complications caused by the use of ‘Prednisolone’, an eye drop imported from India, Health Ministry sources told the Daily Mirror.

According to the sources, this is due to issues found in the medicine.

Prednisolone eye drops is used to treat mild to moderate non-infectious eye allergies and inflammation, including damage caused by chemical and thermal burns. Prednisolone eye drops is also used to treat inflammation of the eyes caused by certain conditions.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said this particular batch had been withdrawn, while eye surgeries had also been suspended in the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital.

Moreover, sources from the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital told the Daily Mirror that the patients who are victims of the complications are undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, surgeries at the National Eye Hospital were also halted due to similar post-surgery infections found in certain patients.

Accordingly, the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Health Ministry directed the suspension of the supply of the particular drug to all hospitals with immediate effect in light of the situation. 

However, the surgeries were recommenced with effect from April 24 following clearance from the Health Ministry.


  Comments - 22

  • PERMANENTLY STOP IMPORTING INDIAN MEDICINES IT HAS DONE SO MUCH DAMAGE TO SRI LANKANS Monday, 08 May 2023 04:24 PM

    We have been saying for long time that it is extremely dangerous to use any medicine produced in India. But all our calls have been ignored by Sri Lankan Ministers who have all been BRIBED up to their teeth by Indian drug makers. Indians DO NOT have the scientific capability to research and produce any medicines, they only know to copy the medicines produced in the West and sell them to the gullible third world countries as “Super Indian medicines”. The danger comes from the INABILITY OF THE INDIANS TO COPY THE WESTERN MEDICINES 100% CORRECTLY AND THE POOR HYGIENE PRACTICED IN INDIAN LABORATORIES.

    Indian Monday, 08 May 2023 06:24 PM

    Strange, the world's most populated country never suffers anything like this. It is always other countries! Hope someone reflects on such things.

    Ranil Monday, 08 May 2023 08:45 PM

    The global health industry including China market replied on Indian Bio-Phrama for their supply chains. Most of the drugs branded "generic" in the USA is also based off Indian manufacturing. However, there is a rigorous QA inspection in most countries except in Sri Lanka. Even expired drugs are re-labeled and imported by shady businessman. That really is not the fault of India.

    Tissa Fernando Monday, 08 May 2023 05:11 PM

    India produces very sub standard products except the Bollywood films. The high end products they produce are going to USA.

    Satath Monday, 08 May 2023 08:14 PM

    Are you mad ? What high end products Indians make ? Indians inherently can not produce anything of acceptable standards except killing people in Indian Hospitals and selling their organs to Canada ( you know that) You are using “Sinhalese” false names and “Eccentric” identities and abusing the integrity of the Daily Mirror for long time. What happened your earlier lunatic identities like “ Buffalocitizen” and “ Lankan Lover”. You are dangerous old fellow of Indian Estate pretending to be a Jaffna Tamil.

    silva Monday, 08 May 2023 05:29 PM

    all sectors are corrupted in India including live-saving medicine, so sad that every focus is on money ,not humanity in that country

    ANTON Monday, 08 May 2023 06:42 PM

    FINALY THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE BLIND.

    Ceylonese Monday, 08 May 2023 08:37 PM

    The earth would be a better place without the Indians and their products.

    Daya Monday, 08 May 2023 08:41 PM

    @ our politicos @ Importers run to India to procure cheap medicines. Recently, we saw articles that pressure mounted on the regulatory authority to approve on 'emergency basis'. These type of issues must be investigated though the power section of the society will somehow get away. It is the poor people who get affected and have to suffer whilst the elite will go overseas for medication.

    Shera Monday, 08 May 2023 10:02 PM

    In the USA I have used prescription ointments made in India under license by American pharmaceutical companies. Unless generic medicines are imported from known, licensed producers, Sri Lanka should not try to be cheap and deal with lesser known companies.

    M M Monday, 08 May 2023 10:18 PM

    @ Indian@Ranil: Are you trying to fool us ? Sri Lanka only now discovering the substandard nature of Indian medicine , many African countries had already banned Indian medicines , more than two years ago, after the deaths of scores of African children. India is a CURSE to Humanity.

    Amaran Tuesday, 09 May 2023 01:13 AM

    The government should take a LEGAL ACTION against that pharmaceutical company. The Sri Lanka has become a LAW LESS LAND. At least inform to WHO. So that thus company will be black listed. Where is Rambukwela gone?????

    Vimal Luxman Tuesday, 09 May 2023 02:01 AM

    The fact that people are not blind does not make much difference as they blindly keep electing the same set of crooked politicians who in turn are involved in importing substandard rubbish for commissions.

    Mahila Tuesday, 09 May 2023 02:57 AM

    My Thinking, is it is HIGHTIME, we as Sri Lankans seriously consider moving away from Imports from Indian sources and go elsewhere!!! Why are we not doing that?? Every time we shout, Bleat and Trumpet about Quality assurance and Hygiene IS LACKING IN Indian Manufacturing, then go back to India and Blame India!!!?? Excuses! Or are we a ‘Bunch’ of Idiots, who really don’t know, what their priorities should be to achieve!? Stop BLAMING everyone else other than yourselves for the Malaise!!! Sack Logistics Ordering Team Officials (Including the Minister) who works in Cahoot, presumably with receiver and Supplier!!!?? It is high time, we plan our logistics well in time and FUND it properly, than find excuses!!!??? Lamenting and no positive action!! Get the ACT RIGHT, then we won't have this syndrome!!

    Kalu Tuesday, 09 May 2023 03:41 AM

    We demand President RW and the Health Minister to make public explanation of why it happened and what actions they intend to take. The CID and the Army Intelligence too should get involved and all Sri Lankans on the Indian drug maker’s payroll must be arrested. Otherwise there is going to be a violent demonstration against this government very soon.

    kumar Tuesday, 09 May 2023 06:49 AM

    May be they would have thought Substandard people disserve substandard products.

    Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 09 May 2023 07:20 AM

    @Sarath, the high end products India has produced are in USA, find out yourself, who is the CEO of Google, Who is the CEO of Mastercard, Who is the second in command in Berkshire (Warren Buffet company) . Open your eyes instead of following your JVP nuts.

    Sudda Tuesday, 09 May 2023 07:35 AM

    This is all about prices and corruption. India has many good pharmaceutical manufacturers recognized by WHO after inspections and testing. However, Sri Lanka MOH and SPC ignore the tender procedures and are bribed to buy substandard medicines. This is Nothing new and will probably continue as long as uneducated health ministers have no idea but only want to enrich themselves resulting in people suffering.

    Poochie Baba Tuesday, 09 May 2023 07:48 AM

    India has the world’s third largest pharmaceutical industry, measured by production volume, and is one of the world’s biggest producers and exporters of antibiotics, especially older types of antibiotics, like penicillin. Most of the Indian medicines are exported to the global north, with the US as the biggest importer, measured by value.

    Gayan Tuesday, 09 May 2023 07:57 AM

    Why on earth we buy indian products. Whole world knows they are substandard.

    Punchi Tuesday, 09 May 2023 08:16 AM

    We don’t need Indian sub standard medicines. We prefer and want Chinese sub standard medicines. Anyway why are we even importing any medicines when the knowledge of all medicines used now and to be developed in the future is contained in our superior Buddhist scriptures (Written using VPN link to prevent tracking)

    Manage Tuesday, 09 May 2023 05:47 PM

    Why all are crying over drug issue? Now you should realise the truth that Srilanka is one of the state of INDIA. Ranil is chief minister of that state.


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