Dr. Prabhath Serasinghe, a JMO at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, has raised concerns about the risks of self-medication and drug overdoses, which have been responsible for numerous patient deaths, as revealed by recent postmortem examinations. Speaking at a seminar held at the Kandy District Secretariat Auditorium, organized by the Ministry of Justice, Dr. Serasinghe emphasized the importance of adhering to prescribed medication dosages. He highlighted that an overdose of drugs, particularly in the case of paracetamol, poses a significant danger.
Dr. Serasinghe also stressed the need for patients who are undergoing treatment for multiple ailments to openly communicate their medications to their doctors when seeking treatment for another condition. Mixing compounds from drugs made by different manufacturers can potentially lead to severe consequences, and these insights can be revealed through laboratory tests and forensic medicine conducted by JMOs.
Furthermore, Dr. Serasinghe noted that forensic scientists play a crucial role in criminal and civil cases, serving as expert witnesses for both the prosecution and the defense. The seminar was attended by additional officials, including Krishanthi Meegahapola, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Thilini Gammunage, Director (Reforms), and several other senior figures.
