Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala said measures have been taken to stop emergency purchases of medicinal drugs and ensure medicines are purchased only through tender procedures.
He added that the full responsibility with regards to the purchase of medicinal drugs has been vested with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority.
He said the Health Ministry has appointed a special committee and begun an investigation regarding purchase of substandard medicines for cancer patients.
Speaking at an event in Kandy he further said measures have been taken to immediately remove the drugs that have caused complications in patients from state hospitals and medicine distribution centres.
He stressed that in future the Ministry will ensure that purchase of substandard drugs will not take place.
He said the Ministry always strives to provide quality medicines to the patients and added that testing on medicinal drugs to assure their quality is being carried out continuously.
(dailynews.lk)
