State Ministry has made situation worse – Kumudesah

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The situation had taken a turn for the worse, since the establishment of a new Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday.”A few years ago, a new state minister was appointed for the production, supply and regulation of pharmaceuticals. However, now the NMRA data has gone missing, the production of pharmaceuticals in the country has been hampered and there are more irregularities in the import of drugs and equipment,” Kumudesh said.

The CMLS head said that when Channa Jayasumana was appointed the state minister for pharmaceuticals, they were optimistic.”The Auditor General’s 2020 Report shows that low quality drugs estimated at Rs 110 million have been imported. Now, the State Minister is again trying to blame the previous government. The Minister can’t blame everything on the previous government,” he said.

Kumudesh added that a large quantity of substandard medicines had already been consumed and that there should be some action taken against those responsible.

State Minister Channa Jayasumana was not immediately available for comment.