Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Trade Union Alliance, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, said there is a risk of a shortage of propofol infusion/injection, a critical drug used in administering anesthesia during major surgical procedures. He noted that stocks of the drug are already low in several hospitals and medical supply units.
Dr. Sanjeewa warned that if timely action is not taken to restore supplies, the situation could pose serious challenges to maintaining major surgeries in the future. Although alternative anesthetic drugs are available, he explained that propofol remains the preferred option due to its effectiveness and reliable response in patients.
The warning comes amid broader concerns over the country’s medicine supply chain. Recently, Chairman of the Government Pharmacists Association, Ajith Thilakaratne, also cautioned that Sri Lanka could face severe medicine shortages in the coming period, urging authorities to take preventive measures to ensure uninterrupted access to essential drugs.
