14 August 2023 09:17 am Views - 2384
A total of 73 drugs have failed quality tests so far in 2023, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.
Of the drugs that had failed quality tests, 45 were manufactured in India, while 17 drugs were locally produced and the others had originated from countries like Pakistan, Japan Bangladesh etc.
Among the drugs identified as having failed the quality tests, some have been withdrawn, withheld or discontinued.
Besides, a total of 35 batches of Flucloxacillin Cap have been withdrawn in May, recording the highest so far since 2017, in terms of the number of batches. The particular drug has been manufactured by the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation in Ratmalana.
According to the Health Ministry, there have been a total of 585 cases of quality failures since 2017. The highest number of such cases numbering 96 were reported in 2019, while 86 drugs had failed quality tests in 2022. (Sheain Fernandopulle)