The owner of a company, accused of utilizing forged documents to import substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), has been further remanded until November 29. Aruna Deepthi, arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), was initially remanded after appearing before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on November 01.
In response to the alleged fraudulent activity, the court imposed overseas travel bans on Aruna Deepthi, CEO of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Sugath Janaka Fernando, and Director (Supplies Division) of the Ministry of Health Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake on October 30.
The NMRA had earlier revealed that forged documents were used for Customs clearance when importing the immunoglobulin, which subsequently failed quality tests. The product, attributed to Livealth Biopharma Pvt Ltd. India, was imported by local supplier Isolez Biotech Pharma AG (Pvt) Ltd. The Indian manufacturer denies any involvement in the fraudulent activity.
Misappropriation of funds amounting to Rs. 130 million was discovered in connection with the unlawful importation of 22,500 vials of IVIG. The situation came to light following reports of allergic reactions in patients treated at the Colombo National Hospital and the Matale District Hospital in August and September, respectively, after the administration of the drug.
