By Sriyani Wijesingha
The National Drugs Policy which was first introduced in the 1970s by the late Prof. Senaka Bibile is to be revived by the Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena, sources say.
However, all efforts thus far to revive the policy introduced by Prof Bibile have not borne fruit. When contacted, Minister Sirisena aired his views on price controls connected to vital drugs and medicines sayng:
The National Drugs Policy which was first introduced in the 1970s by the late Prof. Senaka Bibile is to be revived by the Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena, sources say.
However, all efforts thus far to revive the policy introduced by Prof Bibile have not borne fruit. When contacted, Minister Sirisena aired his views on price controls connected to vital drugs and medicines sayng:
“We intend to introduce price controls for medicinal products in order to save the lives of innocent patients from racketeers in this field. We also intend to subject all drugs and medicines to rigid price controls as soon as such stocks are brought into the country. No drug can therefore be sold at more than the stipulated price. We have already assembled special squads to nab errant pharmacy owners who sell drugs at more than the stipulated price. This law will be put into effect forthwith and those violating it will be sternly dealt with.”
However, president of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Gishantha Dasanayaka told LAKBIMAnEWS that the decision taken by the minister to impose price controls on drugs was not going to be effective in the long-term.
“The decision taken by Minister Sirisena to impose price controls on drugs is impractical in our view. Whenever such drugs are brought to the country, the government intends to impose price controls before they are distributed, and it will be disadvantageous to pharmacy owners. What the government ought to do is impose such price controls from the very moment they are brought into these shores. Then there will be some success and not otherwise.”
The president of the Sri Lanka Drug Industry Union (SLDIU) Govindasamy also aired his views on the topic. “It must not be forgotten that it is inSri Lanka
The president of the Medical Services Graduates Union (MSGU), Ravi Kumudesh also spoke to us. “I too think this move to impose price controls on drugs is senseless. This is a big scale racket that has enveloped the entire world. So many past ministers of health in the country have got tangled in the web of drug racketeers. I do not think Maithripala Sirisena could be an exception to that rule,” pointed out Kumudesh.
Joining the debate next was secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Upul Gunasekera. “We must commend the minister’s initiative in trying to impose price controls on drugs. However, this exercise should have been put into action a long time ago. If this endeavour is going to be successful then not only should quality drugs be available at stores and pharmacies, but the prices of such items should be affordable to the patients,” he added.
However, president of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Gishantha Dasanayaka told LAKBIMAnEWS that the decision taken by the minister to impose price controls on drugs was not going to be effective in the long-term.
“The decision taken by Minister Sirisena to impose price controls on drugs is impractical in our view. Whenever such drugs are brought to the country, the government intends to impose price controls before they are distributed, and it will be disadvantageous to pharmacy owners. What the government ought to do is impose such price controls from the very moment they are brought into these shores. Then there will be some success and not otherwise.”
The president of the Sri Lanka Drug Industry Union (SLDIU) Govindasamy also aired his views on the topic. “It must not be forgotten that it is in
The president of the Medical Services Graduates Union (MSGU), Ravi Kumudesh also spoke to us. “I too think this move to impose price controls on drugs is senseless. This is a big scale racket that has enveloped the entire world. So many past ministers of health in the country have got tangled in the web of drug racketeers. I do not think Maithripala Sirisena could be an exception to that rule,” pointed out Kumudesh.
Joining the debate next was secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Upul Gunasekera. “We must commend the minister’s initiative in trying to impose price controls on drugs. However, this exercise should have been put into action a long time ago. If this endeavour is going to be successful then not only should quality drugs be available at stores and pharmacies, but the prices of such items should be affordable to the patients,” he added.
Lakbima news 2011.12.04
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