'No such thing called low-quality medicine' - Health Chief

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said that no country produces low quality medicines, and such low quality medicines are not imported to Sri Lanka. 

Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, told reporters on Monday (31) that  medicines are imported via the State Pharmaceutical Corporation.

"We do not import anything called low-quality medicines. There is an emergency purchasing process that is taking place. Nevertheless, medicines are imported via the State Pharmaceutical Corporation," he said.

The Director General of Health Services noted that there have been instances where medicines have failed the quality test, and so far, in 2023, "we have 43 medicines that have failed the quality test."

However, the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights claims there is evidence of the existence of low-quality medicines in the world.

Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, the Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights noted that there are certain companies that purposely produce low-quality medicines. 

"The Lancet Medical Journal has made repeated exposés on this. There are certain guidelines for low-quality medicines. There is scientific research on the production of low-quality medicines around the world. The negative effects of the use of low-quality medicines have been highlighted," he pointed out.

The issue regarding the use of low-quality medicines in Sri Lanka has been brewing for months, after patients in several areas of the island nation reported complications, while deaths were also reported after the administration of certain drugs.