Family members of two patients who died after receiving Ondansetron injections have reportedly demanded compensation, Daily Mirror learns.
A complaint has already been filed with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), requesting a thorough investigation. The complaint was lodged by the husband of a woman suspected to have died after receiving the Ondansetron injection while undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).
Authorities, however, remain undecided on further action, as laboratory test results for the withdrawn drug batches have not yet been released.
Speaking to Daily Mirror, NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said that investigations by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) are ongoing to determine whether the deaths were directly linked to the injections. “No final conclusions can be drawn until comprehensive test results are available,” he added.
Amid the probe into the withdrawn Ondansetron batches, the relevant Indian manufacturer has requested that samples be sent for global testing. Dr. Wijewickrama noted that steps are now underway to upgrade existing laboratory facilities to meet WHO accreditation standards.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is still considering a request from Indian pharmaceutical company Maan Pharmaceutical (Pvt) Ltd., the manufacturer of the Ondansetron in question, to refer the withdrawn batches to an internationally recognised laboratory for independent testing. The company has informed the Ministry of Health that it is willing to bear the full cost of the tests.
Dr. Wijewickrama said the request is currently under review by the Medicines Evaluation Committee, and a final decision will be made based on the committee’s recommendations.
On December 13, the NMRA ordered the immediate withdrawal of four batches of Ondansetron injections manufactured by Maan Pharmaceutical from use in both state and private hospitals, following suspicions of possible contamination.
The drug had reportedly been administered to two patients who later died. Authorities have reiterated that investigations are ongoing and that decisions on accountability and compensation will depend on the outcomes of laboratory analyses and expert evaluations.
