News
Company producing substandard aspirin failed WHO quality test
“It tried to influence me when I was State Minister for Health,” says Prof. Jayasumana
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Dissident SLPP MP Prof Channa Jayasumana says the company responsible for producing substandard aspirin tablets locally failed a quality test conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) a few years ago.
Recently, the Ministry of Health withdrew a batch of aspirin by the company from use in state hospitals.
“It is obvious that we have had an influx of substandard drugs. Out of these, almost everything has been bought under emergency purchases,” he said. Calling for an audit, he said a number of renowned professionals and academics at the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had resigned the previous year. “Why did they leave? When I was the State Minister for Health, there was a request for approving drugs manufactured at a factory in the Northwestern Province. Those drugs had been rejected by the WHO team. I said the factory had to regain WHO approval if its request was to be considered. There were many attempts to influence me, and later I found that the factory had been permitted to manufacture drugs,” he said.
“It is this company that produced the low-quality aspirin that has been withdrawn from use.”
Prof. Jayasumana said aspirin was commonly used by patients with cardiovascular diseases. There must be an immediate investigation, and the Health Minister must take responsibility,” he said.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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