21 August 2021 12:00 am Views - 111
State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana rebuffed claims by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa that there was a shortage of 40 essential drugs in the country.
In a detailed response in writing to Mr. Premadasa, Prof. Jayasumana said though 40 drugs had been listed by the opposition leader, only 22 of them could be considered essential drugs. He said 15 of these essential drugs were available in the stores of the government’s hospitals. Besides, he said different formulas of the other remaining seven drugs were available, and they could be used as substitutes.
Responding to Mr. Premadasa’s remarks that Dr. Sathis Jayasinghe died due to the unavailability of the drug called ‘Tocilizumab’, Prof. Jayasumana said it was a misleading statement. He said he also condoled with the demise of Dr. Jayasinghe who played a pioneering role in the establishment of Ragama Private Medical College as an advisor of the then President the late J.R. Jayewardene. However, he said Dr. Jayasinghe sought treatment at a private hospital which should be held responsible for the provision of relevant medical drugs.