Draft for drugs policy disappeared mysteriously

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena told Parliament yesterday that the draft for the implementation of a National Drugs Policy had mysteriously disappeared from the Legal Draftsman’s Department.

The draft had vanished from the legal draftsman’s office

Responding to United National Party (UNP) MP Eran Wickramaratne, the Minister said in December 2011 he promised to introduce a new law for a National Drugs Policy based on the recommendations of the Senaka Bibile Commission.

He said he had a meeting with the lady official of this Department in December 2011 and asked her about the progress with regard to the drafting of the new bill.

“She agreed to present the draft within a matter of two weeks. Later, at a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, she made the same promise. However, she retired later. After that the draft has disappeared. It is a mysterious act,” the minister said.

However, he said a new bill was being drafted at the moment to be introduced in Parliament before the end of this year.

Referring to the drug shortage, he said the supply of pharmaceuticals of inferior quality was the main reason for shortages.

“I have blacklisted some companies that provided the low quality drugs. I am serious on this matter. I recently visited Bangladesh. We are going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Bangladesh for the purchase of pharmaceuticals,” he said.

She agreed to present the draft in two weeks. Later, at a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, she made the same promise. However, after she retired the draft has disappeared