Lanka to import essential drugs from India

COLOMBO: Facing a shortage of “essential drugs” in its hospitals, Sri Lanka will import the medicines from India within 10 days. Measures will be taken to overcome the shortage of essential drugs in the country’s hospitals, said Mr Nihal Jayatillake, Act ing Secretary to the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition.

A discussion was held with Health Minister Mr Nimal Siripala De Silva in this connection and the Cabinet approval obtained to import the necessary drugs from India. A plan had been drawn to obtain the essential drugs from India, he said, adding the neces sary medicines will be airlifted within a short period of 10 days.

During the LTTE war last year, Sri Lanka had urged India to rush supply of Pathadine, a painkiller used during post—surgery period of the injured soldiers. India had agreed to supply the vital drug. The Indian government had also donated drugs worth Rs 2 0 million last year for internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Mullaitivu region and those temporarily sheltered in social welfare villages.