161 non-essential drugs to be procured under emergency purchase

• Majority of drugs from India
• No drug to be purchased from unregistered companies

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

In the wake of the GMOA raising serious concerns on the imminentmove by the health Ministry to purchase a stock of drugs under the emergency purchase, the Health Ministry said a total of 161 non-essential drugs are to be procured under the emergency purchase.  Speaking to Daily Mirror, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Saman Ratnayake, said, “The relevant stock of drugs will be purchased given the shortage and the importance to procure them under the emergency purchase.” 

“If these drugs are purchased under the normal procurement procedure, it would take at least seven months, which may aggravate the shortage. In order to expedite the purchase, we have opted the emergency purchase irrespective of the relevant drugs being non-essential,” he highlighted.   

He also noted that all the drugs would be purchased from the registered companies, adding that the tender procedure in this regard is yet to be finalized.   
Responding to a query, Dr. Ratnayake said the majority of drugs would come from India and assured the quality of drugs.