‘Ministry cooperating with CID on Immunoglobulin probe’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana yesterday (26) said that in case the government had to make emergency purchases, his Ministry would adhere to procedures laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Dr. Pathirana said so when The Island asked him whether he intended to adopt the controversial emergency purchase procedures exploited allegedly by influential parties at the expense of the entire public health sector.

The Galle District lawmaker said that soon after he received the Health portfolio, he halted emergency procurement though the possibility of the government having to resume such purchases couldn’t be ruled out altogether.

Dr. Pathirana succeeded Keheliya Rambukwella on Oct 23 amidst the huge controversy over the procurement of fake Immunoglobulin, locally, while claiming the life-saving drug was ordered from a Gujarat producer. Both lawmakers represent the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). The then President Gotabaya Rajapaksa brought in Rambukwella as the Health Minister in Aug 2021 at the height of the Covid-19 epidemic in the wake of criticism directed at the way Pavitra anniarachchi was handling the unprecedented health crisis.

Responding to another query, Dr. Pathirana said that his Ministry cooperated with the ongoing investigation undertaken by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). “We have given them access to files and documents,” Dr. Pathirana said,

adding that a speedy conclusion of the investigation would help restore public confidence in the public health sector.

The matter is now before Maligakanda Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrema. Former Health Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta, a Special Grade Officer of the Administrative Service, who had authorized immediate payments for ‘Rituximab’ (another cancer drug), supplied by the same fraudulent tenderer, is to be produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate today (27) from remand custody.

In addition to Chandragupta, who was taken in on Dec 18, the CID, on Nov 20, arrested Director, Medical Supplies Division, Dr. Kapila Wickremenayake, Assistant Director Devashantha Soloman, Accountant (Supplies) Neran Dhananjaya, and the Stock Controller of the Medical Supplies Division Sujith Kumara, in connection with the high profile scam.

The proprietor of Isolez Biotech Pharma AG Sugath Janaka Fernando alias Aruna Deepthi was taken in on Oct 31. He was the first to be arrested in this connection.

Dr. Pathirana said that the Ministry was in the process of addressing issues at hand, some on a priority basis, in line with their overall objective to provide quality medicine without interruptions. Pointing out that a large amount of money had been allocated to the Health Ministry, through the 2024 Budget, Dr. Pathirana said that the supply chain was being strengthened, with recent payments made to the suppliers.

Dr. Pathirana also emphasized the urgent need to enhance the capacity of the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory (NMQAL) meant to ensure product quality, safety and efficacy requirements. The Minister disclosed the possibility of securing the WHO’s assistance in this regard while explaining ongoing efforts to reach consensus on an action plan.

Commenting on medical assistance received from abroad, Dr. Pathirana said that the country really appreciated such donations. The Minister said that foreign governments and other parties had provided medicines as requested by the government. But, there had been some instances of some medicines not really required here ending up in Colombo, Dr. Pathirana said, underscoring the pivotal importance of working out proper advance evaluation procedures in respect of such donations.

Dr. Pathirana pointed out that one of the major issues was the short expiry period of some of the medicines received as grants.

The Minister politely declined to comment further on what he called the Immunoglobulin affair as the matter was now being dealt by courts, which makes it sub judice.

Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena said, as requested by relevant authorities, the CID received access to files/documents which were under his authority. The DGHS said so when The Island asked him whether the CID questioned him in this regard. The official stressed that he was not in any way involved in the procurement process.