Over 200 drugs still in shortage in Sri Lanka

22 August 2023 08:16 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

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Despite a string of ongoing challenges in the health sector, Sri Lanka continues to face a shortage of 216 drugs, according to an official.

Dr. Saman Rathnayake, Health Ministry Additional Secretary, told Daily Mirror that although the shortage has slightly improved, the Ministry still needs to address the remaining gap and reduce the shortage to below 100 in the coming months.

Dr. Rathnayake reassured that there is no shortage of essential drugs, including 14 lifesaving drugs. Out of the approximately 1,300 drugs currently in use, 383 are considered essential.

“However, the present shortage affects 216 drugs, and efforts are underway to procure them as soon as possible,” he added.

Comments - 14

Sokrates Tuesday, 22 August 2023 08:44 AM

Perhaps the health minister and his secretaries should fly to India for a shopping spree and buy counterfeit drugs from some backyard factories there.

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joshua Tuesday, 22 August 2023 08:59 AM

Very soon only Diana's Cannabis will only be available.

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Dr. S.R. Dissanayake Tuesday, 22 August 2023 09:46 AM

At least now, after learning a good lesson Health Minister should repent and do his duty honestly without cheating the general public. Attention: Kehliya.

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Dominic Milton Tuesday, 22 August 2023 09:49 AM

By the time NCM is brought by SJB, Rambukwella will earn some millions on drug commissions. We need to have quality drugs without hurting the poor patients.

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Angry Patient Leslie Bandara from Kurunegala Tuesday, 22 August 2023 09:52 AM

Is the Health Minister Rambukwella playing games with the public? Why still we have a shortage of essential drugs? Is the minister sleeping or subjected to coma??

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Prof. M.C.M. Fernando Tuesday, 22 August 2023 10:06 AM

Yes, true - the Health drug crisis is not still over. I have checked personally in so many remote Hospitals lot of essential drugs are running short. I still cannot understand why we keep a puppet as Health Minister. Need a change soon.

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ravin Tuesday, 22 August 2023 10:12 AM

Really ! we are under the impression that we are self sufficient in every way when we read the news that 225 wants permit to import bullock carts for them. Madness?

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N V Jen Tuesday, 22 August 2023 11:31 AM

Why Ranil has to appoint such incompetent ministers, who have no knowledge of the subject matter, other than focusing on looting?

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Wiraj Tuesday, 22 August 2023 11:36 AM

Sajith is right in refusing to form a government last year as he would have had no choice but to appoint most of Ali Baba's clan as ministers that would have tainted his name further. These corrupt ones suit Ranil, who is thick skinned, and is only focused on retaining the presidential throne.

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Karalasingam Sivalingam Tuesday, 22 August 2023 11:37 AM

Who was responsible for the delay in ordering drugs to replenish the drugs in short supply, I believe there is a statical and forecasting mechanism in the Health Ministry, some officers would have faulted to forecast the shortages. Do not play with human life,one essential drug could cost a life.

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Dr. M.K.M. Mohamed Sulaiman Tuesday, 22 August 2023 12:24 PM

It is really funny why Ranil became a Joker wearing Tie

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Prof. G.M. Ramanathan Tuesday, 22 August 2023 12:26 PM

Hay Kehliya what is your answer for the about question? Are you blind or deaf? Please step down if you can't handle the subject.

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Keheliya Tuesday, 22 August 2023 12:29 PM

We hear different persons claiming different figures of drug shortage in the Health Sector. Patients are not interested to know these figures but questions why there should be at all any drug shortage? Is it that they place orders for drugs only if they get the demanded Commis?

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Satisfied Patients Tuesday, 22 August 2023 01:52 PM

No worries. Suspend standing orders of procedures to purchase medicines. Let Dr. Rambukwella fly to India and purchase low-quality drugs from black-listed companies for massive Commissions and the problem of drug shortage will be solved and the problem of overpopulation of Sri Lanka will also will be solved.

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