Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said he has formally informed the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) that several medicines imported from India, which are not registered in Sri Lanka, are being sold openly in external pharmacies.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the NMRA, Dr. Sanjeewa stated that unapproved medicines are being marketed especially in pharmacies operating in close proximity to leading hospitals, including those near the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.
He pointed out that some of these drugs are being sold at prices far below the usual market value, while others—particularly medicines that are currently unavailable in government hospitals—are being sold at exorbitant prices.
Dr. Sanjeewa warned that the ongoing shortage of cancer medicines in state hospitals has compelled doctors to direct patients to purchase drugs from outside pharmacies, creating an environment where unregulated and potentially unsafe medicines can enter the market.
He urged the NMRA to immediately investigate the matter and clarify how unregistered medicines are being allowed to be sold in the open market.
The specialist also called for urgent inspections of pharmacies operating around hospitals in order to safeguard patients and ensure that only legally approved medicines are dispensed to the public.
