By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

A leading private hospital in Colombo, which had allegedly billed its patients with exorbitant rates for common drugs that have a maximum retail price had been summoned by the courts following charges filed by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).   

The NMRA following a lengthy probe against the private hospital has filed charges at the Maligakanda Magistrate Court last week and the Magistrate has sent summons to the hospital management to appear in court on January 24. 

A spokesperson for the NMRA told the Daily Mirror they acted on several public complaints that were received last July and an inquiry was carried out to learn the hospital had billed common drugs with higher prices.   

“Acting on the public complaints we started probing the particular hospital and found that they have billed high rates for even very common drugs like Paracetamol,” an official said.   The Ministry of Health with the Cabinet endorsement publicized a list of 65 essential and most commonly used drugs with its maximum retail prices reduced by 16% with effect from June 15, 2023.   

He said the preliminary investigations carried out by them on the complaints and copies of the hospital’s bills received from the public seemed to have proved these allegations.   
 “It is common how private hospitals usually come up with exorbitant bills for the in-house patients including desired amounts for their room charges, doctor’s fee, linen and meal charges to maintain their overheads.   

But it is illegal if they raise the prices of the commonly used medicines, especially when those that are listed with a maximum retail price,” the officer said.