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Medicines and its proper usage- NMRA campaign in schools, campuses
View(s):Schoolchildren and undergraduates will receive awareness in medicines and its safe usage, under the new National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Act passed in Parliament on Friday.
Chairman of the Committee that drafted the Act, Dr Palitha Abeykoon told Education Times, this Act is the first in the Health sector to focus on public awareness on safe use of medicines.
“The public here lack knowledge in essential medicines and safe usage. They do not know the difference between generic names and brand names of medicines, which has led them to being misled,” he said.
He said plans are afoot to educate and create awareness among secondary and tertiary students.
“Basic awareness of medicinal drugs is essential. Starting with schools and universities is the best way to approach society,” Dr Abeykoon said.
Among the objectives of the Act is to “educate the general public, healthcare professionals and all stakeholders on medicines, medical devices and borderline products.”
Ensuring the availability of efficacious, safe and good quality medicines, as well as promoting safe and rational use of medicines, are among other objectives of the Authority.
The Act also includes awareness in the list of powers and functions of the Authority. It states “conduct awareness programmes in relation to medicines, medical devices and borderline products and post market surveillance on the quality and safety of medicines…”
The NMRA will have an ‘Information, Education, Communication & Research Division’ that will be responsible in educating the people.
This Act was introduced in order to implement a National Drug Policy as recommended by Professor Senaka Bibile, the world renowned Sri Lankan pharmacologist, considered the founder of the country’s drug policy.
It was passed in Parliament on Friday with a majority of Members of Parliament (MP) voting in favour of the Act. (NF)