News
NMRA mulls recalling drugs with calcitriol metabolite from the market
After unregistered products found during raid
by Suresh Perera
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is contemplating withdrawing all pharmaceutical drugs with calcitriol, an active form of Vitamin D3 prescribed largely to kidney patients, following the discovery of stocks of six unregistered imported products during a raid at Dehiwala last week.
“We will have to take a fresh look at medicines with this key metabolite to ensure that the unregistered drugs had not sneaked into the marketplace”, says Amith Perera, NMRA’s Chief Food and Drugs Inspector.
He said that a stock of a combination of six unregistered drugs with the calcitriol hormone were found during a swoop on a luxury house by officers of the regulatory body.
Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people who have chronic kidney failure and are not receiving dialysis.
The drug, which comes under different brand names, is also prescribed by some doctors to treat Covid-19 patients and those suffering from arthritis as it is an active form of Vitamin D3.
Asked whether the NMRA sealed the complex where the unregulated drugs were discovered, Perera said the medicines were placed inside a room of the house and sealed.
He said a company licensed to import six other drugs was registered under the address. As a result, the stock of ‘expired’ drugs found stored within the building was in order as an importer was authorized under the law to accept products beyond their shelf life and store them to be destroyed under NMRA supervision.
State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Prof. Channa Jayasumana inspected the drugs in the raided complex on Wednesday and directed the NMRA to withdraw the relevant medicines from the market.
He was shown on television taking a closer look at the medicines and, at one point saying, “these are given to kidney patients”.
When the State Minister asked a company official present how the drugs were imported without authority, he replied, “we have paid taxes”.
The NMRA believes the unregistered drugs may have been imported under the ‘food supplements’ category by changing the HS code description.
The regulatory authority will be filing legal action against the company, Perera said.
When asked for comment, the company’s Chairman said he was “at a meeting” and promised to call back. However, he didn’t return the call.
Meanwhile, pharmacists complained of difficulties to secure the required approvals via the NMRA’s online portal.
The process is so complicated that we cannot even get our annual licenses renewed online, they said. “Many pharmacies are operating without renewing their licenses as a result and could face a load of trouble if there’s an issue”.
Online applications are repeatedly, “rejected”, perhaps due to a glitch in the system, and the situation is so grave that even the transport of pharmaceuticals has to be done without renewing the permit, they pointed out.
The NMRA should first put its house in order before venturing out to supervise pharmacies, they suggested.
An official of the regulatory body promised to look into the complaint.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
