The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has raised concerns over the Health Ministry’s recent decision to allow State hospitals to purchase medications that are in short supply, claiming that there is no monitoring of those purchases by the authority.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama emphasised that such unregulated purchases bypassed NMRA oversight, potentially compromising public health.
The NMRA’s role was crucial in approving both locally-manufactured and imported medicines to ensure they met safety, quality, and efficacy standards, he stressed.
While Wijewickrama acknowledged that the NMRA’s concern arose only if hospitals acquired unapproved medicines, he pointed out instances in 2023 where emergency purchases had led to the acquisition of unregistered medicines, prompting a temporary halt.
As reported last week, the Ministry of Health has permitted hospitals to purchase any medicine as per their requirements.
Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala clarified that while emergency purchases had been temporarily suspended, a programme at the hospital level was addressing non-availability issues across the country.
The necessary ministerial permissions had been granted for this initiative, ensuring patient interests were prioritised, he added.
Dr. Mahipala assured that necessary steps would be taken to purchase and supply medicines if any non-availability issues were reported, adding that the ministry had updated the mechanism for purchasing and supplying medicines with the support of experts and stakeholders and that it was collaborating with trade unions to address sector issues.
Criticism, particularly from health sector trade unions and Opposition political wings, led to the suspension of emergency medicine purchases by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe stressed on the need for strict guidelines to maintain healthcare standards, especially considering previous allegations of medicinal drug selling.
Wijesinghe questioned the international applicability of this authorisation and urged the ministry to issue clear guidelines on the extent to which hospitals could engage in direct purchasing.
– By Kenolee Perera