• There is no proper system to control and monitor the use of antibiotics

 By Sandun A. Jayasekera

 The government would introduce tough legal measures this year to plug importation of unauthorised medicinal drugs, marketing them after changing the label and to control the excessive and misuse of antibiotics, Production, Supply and Monitoring of Medicinal Drugs, State Minister, Prof. Channa Jayasumana said.

 The National Medicine Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015 will be amended to streamline the medicinal drug importation, production and distribution along with a watchful eye on the usage of drugs issued to patients by state and private hospitals and pharmacies, he added.
 Addressing a ceremony held by the ‘All Island Private Pharmacy Owners Association’ to felicitate pharmacists who performed an excellent service during the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Prof. Jayasumana said selling of drugs after changing the label was widespread, risking the lives of patients who purchase them from pharmacies with the belief that they have passed quality assurance and the same drug prescribed by the doctor which is not. 
 “This malpractice that put the lives of hapless patients in danger has to be stopped forthwith. The current punishment if proven guilty of illicit medicinal drug abuse is a nominal fine. I expect to increase the existing fine by ten folds,” Prof. Jayasumana said.
 He pointed out that drugs like Tramadol and Gabapentin are imported, distributed and used with no monitoring or subject to quality assurance. The NMRA Act does not have the power to prevent this kind of drug abuse. In some instances, the NMRA Act supports illicit drug importation.

 There is no proper system to control and monitor the use of antibiotics. In many instances, antibiotics are purchased over the counter. Many Sri Lankans use antibiotics without doctor advice, which is highly risky. A recent study has revealed that the water resources of Sri Lanka have been contaminated with antibiotics, which shows that Sri Lankans are using antibiotics excessively.    
 
 The private pharmacies have done a commendable job during the pandemic, even risking their own lives. It is quite appropriate to give them the due appreciation and respect for their service to the health sector in the country, Minister Prof. Jayasumana stressed. 

•  A recent study has revealed that the water resources of Sri Lanka have been contaminated with antibiotics, which shows that Sri Lankans are using antibiotics excessively