The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) filed a fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court yesterday (31) seeking a transparent probe into the deaths of patients and complications caused by substandard drugs.
It wants the appointment of a five-member committee of specialist doctors led by the director-general of health services for the purpose.
MPs Kavinda Jayawardhana and Harshana Rajakaruna filed the petition, naming health minister Keheliya Rambukwella, DGHS Dr. Asela Gunawardena, National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and its chairman Prof. S.D. Jayaratne and several others as respondents.
They noted the NMRA is responsible for registration, cancellation of registration, granting permission for manufacture, ensuring the quality, stipulating the prices and granting permission for storage of medicines.
The petitioners pointed out that the use of two imported anesthetic drugs and an eye drop resulted in complications and even the deaths of some patients.
Although the use of these drugs was suspended, a comprehensive investigation into these incidents is yet to be conducted, the petitioners emphasized.
