Non-withdrawal of disputed drug Health Ministry forced to reverse earlier decision

• Drug in question continued to be used
• Two more cases of severe allergic reactions reported from same drug 
• Two batches of controversial drug withheld  

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

Despite the Health Ministry’s adamant position of not withdrawing the drug used at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital that resulted in the demise of a 21-year-old girl, the Health Ministry was compelled to withhold two batches of the controversial drug following two more cases of severe allergic reactions reported from the Kandy Hospital.  Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Additional Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr. Saman Rathnayake said, “Two more cases of severe allergic reactions (Anaphylactic shock) have been reported over the weekend at the Kandy Hospital from a different batch of the same drug ‘Ceftriaxone’ used at the Peradeniya Hospital.   

“There were 10 batches of Ceftriaxone. The incident involving the death of the 21-year-old girl has been caused due to a different batch, while the two cases of severe allergic reactions at the Kandy Hospital have been caused by a different batch of the same drug,” Dr. Rathnayake underscored.  

“Accordingly, two batches used in the Kandy Hospital and the Peradeniya Hospital have been withheld,” he added.  

Earlier, Dr. Rathnayake stressed that there is no need to withdraw the drug from use as the death is not due to an issue in the medicine but a severe allergic reaction which had developed within her body.”  

He also noted that around 2,700 vials containing Ceftriaxone had been used on previous occasions at Peradeniya Hospital. However, no one has been reported with complications until the recent mishap.  

In addition, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital Director Arjuna Thilakarathna told Daily Mirror that the drug in question continued to be used even after the demise of the 21-year-old girl and even on Saturday 15.  

Chamodi Sandeepani Jayaratne (21) who was admitted to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital on Wednesday (12) to obtain treatment for a stomach ailment died due to anaphylactic shock after being administered Ceftriaxone via a cannula.  

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic in the form of an injection used to treat many kinds of bacterial infections.   

I won’t shy away from challenges: Keheliya

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

In the wake of an array of issues pertaining to the health sector, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that he will face challenges, instead of running away from responsibilities.

“I pledge that we will not run away from responsibilities. There was a time like that, but we will face the challenges and serve the people of this country,” he told reporters.
Responding to the no-confidence motion to be filed by the Opposition, the Minister said that he was ready to face the no-confidence motion against him in Parliament.