Our research suggests that more than 500,000 patients in Mount Lavinia and the suburbs are awaiting the quality service at all times Mount Lavinia is a residential area with mostly middle class communities. Our research indicates that the majority of residents obtain medications from the private pharmacies. There are about 20 Pharmacies in the city including the drugs stores with the super market chains.   

The prospective State Outlet shall provide a quality service at affordable prices of medicines of high quality, not only to patients in Mount Lavinia but also to the adjacent areasThe prospective State Outlet shall provide a quality service at affordable prices of medicines of high quality, not only to patients in Mount Lavinia but also to the adjacent areas

Whilst talking to social leaders at various events, citizens of Mount Lavinia indicated the following shortcomings regarding the existing pharmacies.   

1. Lack of proper supervision by a qualified pharmacist/s when issuing medications to customers.   

2. Workers at the pharmacy sales counters are under-qualified and poorly paid young persons from the upcountry tamil community.   

3. There are three ethnicity based pharmacies and it appears they canvass customers on communal basis.   

4. It has been reported that certain pharmacies sell expired drugs by switching labels.   

5. Very often the pharmacies are under-staffed and in the absence of popular drugs, unqualified sales persons alarmingly suggest substitute medicines without any authority.   

6. Under-stock of popular brands of medicines which are recommended by the Ministry of Health. 

7. Unethical competition among pharmacies tend to sell medicines recommending low cost substitute drugs.   

8. There were incidents where unqualified pharmacy sales persons issued wrong drugs – without being able to read the prescriptions correctly. Only qualified and experienced pharmacists could read the physician’s prescription, which is written in short version of the names of the drugs.   

There were incidents where unqualified pharmacy sales persons issued wrong drugs – without being able to read the prescriptions correctly. Only qualified and experienced pharmacists could read the physician’s prescription, which is written in short version of the names of the drugs

All in all we as Attorneys-at-Law practicing at Mount Lavinia Courts wish to bring to your notice the above shortcomings at the existing pharmacies in Mount Lavinia City.   

We would be much grateful to you if you could kindly make arrangements to establish a ‘Rajya Osusala’ at Mount Lavinia where patients could benefit immensely in all respects. In order to facilitate this request we copy this ‘letter of request’ to the connected authorities for speedy action.   

Our research suggests that more than 500,000 patients in Mount Lavinia and the suburbs are awaiting the quality service at all times.   We are mindful that the Minister of Health shall take the initiative in providing a Rajya Osusala Outlet at Mount Lavinia with the collaboration of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) of Sri Lanka. The prospective State Outlet shall provide a quality service at affordable prices of medicines of high quality, not only to patients in Mount Lavinia but also to the adjacent areas.   

We are seeking this service in keeping with the Health Minister’s mandate of providing a better health service to the nation.   

Thanking you for your kind cooperation.   

Public interest citizens