Sri Lanka seeks intl aid to avoid medicine shortage

COLOMBO (News 1st); The State Ministry of Pharmaceutical Products, Supply and Regulation said that assistance has been sought from several international organizations to avoid a shortage of medicines in the country.

The Secretary State Ministry of Pharmaceutical Products Supply and Regulation, Dr. Saman Ratnayake said that requests were made to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank.

In addition, the World Health Organization has agreed to supply US $2 Mn worth of medicines to Sri Lanka, the Secretary said.

Meanwhile, health professionals including the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) said yesterday that the lives of patients were at risk due to the shortage of medicines and surgical equipment.