Colombo (LNW): Allegations involving medicines imported to Sri Lanka will be investigated and action will be taken, if any discrepancies are identified, assured Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, responding to claims on Indian-manufactured drugs being the cause of several incidents of fatalities and vision impairment.
Early local reports raising much controversy claimed that 18 patients who were administered medicines imported from India had developed complications. These cases were reported from the Nuwara Eliya District Hospital. Two women who underwent cesarean and hernia surgery at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital died, upon developing complications against being administered Indian-manufactured anaesthetic Bupivacaine, more reports claimed.
Responding to the allegations, Rambukwella asserted that he did not import the medicines and an investigation will be carried out.
The Indian-manufactured anaesthetic was imported to Sri Lanka via the emergency purchasing provisions, while the medication provided following eye surgery was imported with a registration, News1st reported.
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is the pivotal body responsible for regulating medicines imported to Sri Lanka and plays a leading role in protecting and improving public health.
