- AMS claims ex-NMRA Chair Prof. Jayaratne made 1st press
- statement on same
The medical fraternity has raised concerns over the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) not having recorded a statement from former Chairperson of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Prof. S.D. Jayaratne, who first issued a media release regarding the controversial human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) deal.
A batch of IVIG had recently been suspended from use following the revelation that the local supplier named Isolez BiotechPharma AG (Private) Limited had imported it by submitting forged documents for Customs clearing.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, a member of the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) who wished to remain anonymous said that it was Prof. Jayaratne who first issued a statement to the media regarding the matter, but that the CID was yet to record a statement from him. “The CID has questioned several individuals and taken steps to arrest several suspects. It is commendable, but the CID has not recorded any statement from Prof. Jayaratne, who was the NMRA Chairman at the time of this incident. A statement from him will be of great use to carry out the related investigations.”
In October 2023, the NMRA stated that a batch of IVIG imported to Sri Lanka from India, allegedly in violation of the due procedure, was suspended from use. In a media release dated 3 October 2023, Prof. Jayaratne claimed that forged documents were found to have been submitted for Customs clearance when importing the said drug, which later failed the relevant quality tests. The matter had come to light following reports of allergic reactions after the drug was administered to several patients under treatment at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo and the District Hospital in Matale in August and September 2023.
Police Media Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police attorney Nihal Thalduwa was not available for comment.
Several individuals including former Health Minister and incumbent Environment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha, Medical Supplies Division (MSD) Director Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake, MSD Assistant Director Shanthi Solomon, the MSD’s Accountant (Supplies) Niran Dhananjaya, its Pharmacist Sujith Kumara, and a former Deputy Director of Health Services Herath Kumara (also attached to the MSD) were arrested in connection with the incident and subsequently placed in remand custody.