March 29, Colombo (LNW): A parliamentary inquiry has revealed that a private firm, ‘Savorite’, was granted Waiver of Registration (WoR) certificates to import 38 types of medicines in 2022 without undergoing mandatory evaluation by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
The revelation has raised serious concerns about regulatory oversight in the country’s healthcare sector.
During a meeting of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) held on Wednesday (26) in Parliament, it was disclosed that the former Minister of Health had directly instructed that ‘Savorite’ be selected to import medicines under this arrangement.
The former Secretary to the Ministry of Health confirmed to the committee that the decision was made under ministerial directives.
The committee, chaired by MP Dr Nishantha Samaraweera, convened to review the Auditor General’s reports for 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as to assess the ongoing performance of the NMRA.
The chairperson criticised the NMRA’s failure to evaluate the imported medicines, stating that the authority’s core function is to ensure drug quality, safety, and efficacy—responsibilities that should not be delegated to the Medical Supplies Sector.
Former NMRA board members clarified that, although there were emergency provisions for expedited medicine imports, such approvals required a proper evaluation.
They stressed that the board had not authorised the process and, therefore, could not accept accountability for the decision.
The discussions further revealed that the former Minister of Health had directed ‘Savorite’ to supply medicines for three months to address shortages.
COPE also examined a Cabinet Memorandum submitted by the former minister on 26 September 2022, which stated that a critical shortage of medicines was imminent within three weeks.
When questioned, Ministry of Health officials explained that the Cabinet Memorandum was based on data from the existing medicine supply database.
However, the committee chairperson expressed scepticism, deeming it highly unlikely that such a vast range of essential medicines could reach zero stock levels simultaneously.
He accused the responsible officials of negligence for allowing the situation to escalate to such an extent.
The Auditor General also raised concerns, noting that medicines had been imported even when existing stocks were already on order and due to arrive, further questioning the legitimacy of the crisis.
As a result, the COPE chair directed officials to compile a comprehensive report identifying those involved in preparing the Cabinet Memorandum.
The committee also resolved to submit a full investigative report on these irregularities to Parliament and ensure swift action is taken against those responsible.
Several Members of Parliament, including Mano Ganeshan, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, S. M. Marikkar, Chaminda Wijesiri, Attorney-at-Law Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Chandima Hettiarachchi, Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana, Kosala Nuwan Jayaweera, Sudath Balagalla, Dr S. Sri Bavanandarajah, Lieutenant Commander (Retd.) Prageeth Madhuranga, and Samanmali Gunasinghe, attended the committee meeting.
