Respected pharma dealers bitterly criticise rogue traders
View(s):Illegal and unethical activities recently exposed in the pharmaceutical sector have shocked some members of the trade.
One company, Citihealth, which markets the reputed Cipla brand of drugs, said it watched with dismay media reports on the violation of the basic ethics of the pharmaceutical trade of attempts to alter dates of expiry and a host of other illegal acts.
“These villains seem to have forgotten the fact that they are playing with human lives especially those of critically ill patients who depend on pharmaceutical companies for healing of their illnesses. Citihealth has always condemned such shameful acts with the highest degree of contempt,” the company said in a statement.
“Almost from the inception, we have been a responsible member of the Sri Lankan Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry which stands firmly to ensure the maintenance of the highest standards of compliance with quality and other parameters for the well-being of the pharmaceutical industry and the patient population in the country,” the statement added.
Citihealth, which has operated for 17 years, says it provides quality pharmaceuticals at affordable prices and has been fully compliant with all law enforcement and regulatory bodies functioning under the Ministry of Health and all other Governmental Institutions.
“Cipla Ltd of Mumbai, India has maintained a strong relationship with Citihealth and has supported the latter to the fullest extent by supplying pharmaceutical products of the highest quality to the patient population of Sri Lanka to make Citihealth the pioneer company in this country,” the statement added.
Citihealth said it has also maintained a professional team of medical promotional delegates and provided several free health services to patients by way of complimentary diagnostic measures such as spirometer and peak flow meter screening at the asthma clinics throughout the country.