Rajitha points out existing drug shortage

COLOMBO (News 1st); There is a shortage of more than 250 drugs at hospitals and at pharmacies belonging to the State Pharmaceutical Corporation, says Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Rajitha Senaratne.

Cautioning of a medicine shortage, the MP stated that people continue to shout and hoot at the President whenever he passes by, and this is the first time in the country where a President is being treated in anger.

Pointing out that there are 55 drugs which are lacking at Government hospitals, MP Senaratne said that three of these 55 drugs are deemed life-saving drugs, in addition to 38 of them being essential medicines. 

"Without some of these drugs, patients would not be able to control some diseases. As a result, if the disease progresses, death ensues," he said.

MP Senaratne added that the Minister of Pharmaceuticals has been unable to justify this shortage, and the real cost of the crisis will be revealed after years.