The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had paid nearly Rs. 70 million as an incentive allowance during the
coronavirus pandemic to its officers without approval, according to a report by the National Audit Office.
Recipients of these allowances during 2020-21 include one executive and 20 staff grade officers.
They were paid Rs. 17,843,781 in 2020 and Rs. 44,273,092 in 2021 for office attendance without prior consent from the treasury.
The audit report also found the NMRA to have been careless and even added incorrect information in dossiers which did not have important documents at times.
Also, the technical evaluation assessments list contained false information, and unauthorized officers had signed to extend, via online, medicines licenses in 2019 and 2020.
(lankadeepa.lk)
