NO SIGNS OF THENMDP

In the absence of a proper preventive healthcare system, people have to depend on pharmaceuticals to cure their illnesses

Controversy surrounds the non-publication of the National Medicinal Drugs Policy (NMDP) despite assurance given that it would be enacted soon, a doctor said yesterday.

Professor Senaka Bibile Commemorative Committee’s National Organizer Dr. Jayantha Bandara said it was still uncertain whether the Bill had been drafted with provisions to address the pharmaceutical needs of people.

“As never before in history, diseases such as diabetics, high blood pressure, renal failure and dengue are widespread. There are also an increasing number of cases of poisoning and respiratory diseases. In the absence of a proper preventive healthcare system, people have to depend on pharmaceuticals to cure their illnesses. We depend on imports for 80 per cent of our pharmaceutical requirements.

Pricing of these pharmaceuticals is decided solely by transnational companies engaged in the trade. Some make profits as high as 200 per cent or even 800 per cent,” he said. Dr. Bandara said though Rs.24.5 billion was spent for drugs imports in 2010, it had increased to Rs.47.5 billion in 2012.

“Often people have to buy pharmaceuticals from outside,” he said.

As never before in history, diseases such as diabetics, high blood pressure, renal failure and dengue are known to be widespread