Nearly 28 varieties of cancer medicines that are already imported are waiting to be distributed due to a delay in related documents from the Finance Ministry, according to Medical Supplies Division (MSD) Deputy Director General Dr. G. Wijesuriya.

“There is a shortage of cancer medicines to a certain extent. As of now, 28 varieties of cancer medicines have been imported and are waiting to be accepted by the MSD,” he told The Sunday Morning.

“However, due to a delay in related documents, distribution has been suspended. Some documents from the Ministry of Finance were required to commence distribution as these medicines were brought down via an Indian credit line. I believe that once we receive these 28 varieties of cancer medicines, if the promised documents are provided, we will be able to distribute these medicines to the hospitals by Monday or Tuesday.”

Adding context, Dr. Wijesuriya said that currently, the importation and distribution of medicines required extreme caution, as various individuals were levelling a multitude of allegations. 

“In order to avoid such allegations, we can only take action after examining all aspects very carefully and with responsibility. Consequently, there is some delay in the process.”

He explained: “Various individuals are levelling various types of allegations for their personal gain, so if there is an error in one aspect they will make exaggerated claims. Therefore, we are closely scrutinising the process and medicines are only distributed after confirming each and every document. As a result, there are delays in releasing medicines.”

Nevertheless, Dr. Wijesuriya said that the shortage of cancer medicines would likely be resolved by Monday (29) once certain bureaucratic matters related to the release of medicines were rectified. 

Similarly, speaking to The Sunday Morning, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) General Manager Dinusha Dasanayake too confirmed that the shortage of cancer medicines would be resolved by Monday.

“There are some medicines that are in short supply at the MSD, but this situation will be rectified by Monday. Some of the stocks have already reached here; there has been a small delay in accepting this by the MSD. This has now been sorted out and it will be getting the stocks by Monday.”

Moreover, National Cancer Institute (Apeksha Hospital) Director Dr. Aruna Jayasekara said that although the cancer medicine shortage had been a notable concern several months ago, the shortage had now lessened in severity.

“There is no significant shortage of cancer medicines like before; earlier there was a shortage of about 15 medicines but now only six medicines are in short supply.”