Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday instructed Health Secretary Dr. Ravindra Ruberu to take steps to import 14 essential drugs for the treatment of cancer patients immediately from wherever the drugs were available as the Indian supplier had failed to supply them.

Minister Sirisena said he had found the acute shortage of the drugs at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama during his recent tour.

“The 14 drug varieties are essential for the treatment of cancer patients but they are not available in the country.  I was told by my officials that the Indian company who won the tender to supply these drugs has so far failed to supply the drugs up to now,” Minister Sirisena said.

Minister Sirisena has instructed the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation to explore the possibilities to produce these drugs. 

 Meanwhile a spokesman of the Health Ministry said the Indian company holds the monopoly on producing these drugs and they are the supplier to entire Asia. He said the drugs are highly expensive and not available easily. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)