Drug shortage being adressed - Ministry of Health

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ministry of Health states that measures have been taken to expedite the importation of over 25 types of drugs to address the shortage of drugs. Deputy Director of the Medical Supplies Division at the Ministry Dr. Lal Panapitiya noted that some of the required drugs have already been imported to the country. A stock of rabies vaccinations have already been imported while another stock is due to arrive by next Friday. Measures have also been taken to expedite the importation of seven of the 15 drugs required by the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. Four of the required drugs have reportedly been imported to the country. Dr. Lal Panapitiya said that the drug required for patients that underwent kidney transplants have already been brought to the country and will be distributed to the hospitals. He said that the directors of hospitals have been adviced to purchase drugs from the local market in case of any shortages faced by public hospitals. Panapitiya added that the shortage arose as a result of the tender process of purchasing medicine being stalled during the recent period of political unrest.