Despite assurances from the Health Ministry that medicines are available, medical associations say shortages of essential drugs continue to affect government hospitals across the country.
Antibiotics, painkillers, and medicines for chronic illnesses are reported to be either unavailable or in critically low supply, with some hospitals struggling to provide even basic life-saving treatments.
President of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance, Chamal Sanjeewa, said the availability of medicines in state hospitals remains unpredictable. He warned that sudden shortages can occur and last for several days, leaving patients to face serious difficulties.
Dr. Sanjeewa also stressed that medicines used before and after eye surgeries must meet strict quality standards. He alleged that some newly procured drugs contain levels of non-medicinal “free particles” above recommended limits, raising concerns about their suitability for surgical use.
He further warned that arbitrary decisions by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) could compromise the quality of eye medications supplied to state hospitals, claiming that recommendations made by specialist doctors had been ignored during procurement.
Dr. Sanjeewa said ophthalmologists had raised these concerns with NMRA Chairman Ananda Wijewickrama, but alleged that the issues had not been properly addressed.
However, the Health Ministry stated that most medicine shortages have now been resolved and that sufficient funds are available for emergency local procurement when necessary.
