While the importation of medicines without conducting the necessary quality tests can result in national-level health concerns, when it comes to alleged plans to import medicines from India without adhering to the relevant local regulations, such acts can also interfere with Sri Lanka’s political autonomy, according to the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP).
FSP’s Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda, made these remarks during a media briefing held yesterday (28), where he expressed disapproval of the Government’s alleged plans to import a number of types of medicines from an Indian company without adhering to the applicable laws and regulations, citing a need to urgently procure medicines.
As per the available information, Cabinet papers have also been submitted in this regard by Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. Jayagoda opined that the authorities and the people should look beyond the obvious and direct impacts of the implementation of the said plans, because allowing an Indian company, or any company for that matter, to provide medicines without being subjected to the relevant regulatory mechanisms will have far-reaching impacts on the country and will set a wrong precedent. He alleged that if implemented, the abovementioned proposals would create an unregulated Indian monopoly in Sri Lanka’s health sector.
“The Cabinet paper in question proposes to import 37 essential drugs urgently without going through the relevant tender procedures. The companies for the provision of 16 of these medicines are not registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), while no bids have been submitted for the remaining 21 drugs,” he alleged, claiming that some Indian companies that have been proposed to obtain medicines from are not globally recognised, while the decision to choose some companies is not based on a scientific basis but on informal recommendations.
Disregarding or misusing the existing laws and regulations pertaining to the importation of medicines, Jayagoda further claimed, would raise questions about the usefulness and purpose of having laws and regulations. Referring to the authorities’ justifications to import medicines urgently, he urged the Government to take steps to address any issues in the local medicines manufacturing or distributing systems that create shortages, without choosing to import medicines as the first response.
The Government is yet to officially respond to these allegations. Attempts to contact the Health Ministry and Dr. Pathirana were not successful.
Earlier this week, the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry also expressed their concerns regarding the above-mentioned proposal to the NMRA, while also presenting their recommendations regarding the same.