*Nearly 60 imported drugs are sub-standard or nearing end of shelf life

More than 60 kinds of sub-standard drugs and those nearing the end of their shelf life had been imported and they posed a threat to the lives of patients, the Government Medical Officers Association alleged yesterday.

The government allocates around Rs. 85 billion for the health sector annually and of this Rs.15 billion is spent on drug imports and medical appliances. Since quality, efficacy and safety of drugs cannot be ensured, the GMOA has proposed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa that a Presidential Health Investigation Committee be appointed.

GMOA General Secretary Dr. Bimantha Gunasekera told The Island that the import of sub-standard and low quality drugs had tarnished the image of the medical profession and led to an utter waste of public funds.

Dr. Gunasakare said that the GMOA would appreciate if the President appointed a committee to institute legal action against the authorities responsible for the importation of low quality drugs.