In the wake of a batch of human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) imported to Sri Lanka from India being suspended from use, the Ministry of Health stated that there are adequate stocks of the said drug at hospitals in the country.

Earlier this month (October), the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) issued a press release stating that a batch of IVIG imported to Sri Lanka from India in violation of the due procedure had been suspended from use.

With the suspension of the IVIG batch from use, The Daily Morning queried the Ministry as to whether there are sufficient stocks of the said drug to be administered to patients at hospitals. In response, the Ministry's Additional Secretary Dr. Saman Rathnayake said: "There are two other companies that imported this drug. The suspended batch is a small quantity. By now, the supplies from the other two companies have arrived, and there are sufficient stocks."

IVIG is a therapy treatment for patients with antibody deficiencies. It is prepared from a pool of immunoglobulins (antibodies) from the plasma of healthy donors. Immunoglobulins are made by the immune system of healthy people for the purpose of fighting infections.

The batch of IVIG in question had been suspended from use following the revelation that the local supplier named Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Private) Limited had imported it by submitting forged documents for Customs clearing. It was also reported that the said local agent had imported a batch of the rituximab injection – which is administered to cancer patients – using a similar forged document. The NMRA stated last week that it had been revealed that the said local agent had imported a batch of the said drug, presenting a forged waiver of registration in the pretext of the same having been issued by the NMRA.