GMOA tells govt. not to politicise NMRA

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Attempts to politicise the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) or bypass it during the approval process would have a dangerous impact on the safety of patients, secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA). Dr. Senal Fernando said.

Dr. Fernando said that the NMRA was the main institution responsible for ensuring quality and safety of medical drugs through regulatory and approval procedures.

“It is imperative that independence and integrity as well as professionalism and efficiency of NMRA be ensured to achieve the aforesaid objective. We have asked Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella to safeguard the independence, integrity, professionalism, and efficiency of NMRA without influence from third parties with vested interests,” he said.

NMRA has been criticised for discouraging local producers of various medicines and for delaying the release of medicines received as donations to hospitals.

NMRA President Dr. Rasitha Wijewantha and CEO Dr. Sachin Semage said their institution was blamed for the severe shortage of medicine and medical equipment, but the prevailing situation was the result of a severe foreign exchange shortage.”