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Raids on aphrodisiac distributors
View(s):By Chandani Kirinde
Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said measures have been taken to stop the proliferation of aphrodisiac medicines by carrying out raids on places where such medicines were stored excessively or sold without a prescription.
The Minister said such medicines are registered under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority and can be sold retail only on the prescription of a registered medical officer.
He said raids have been carried on places where such drugs are sold and stored without a licence or without a prescription. In 2014/2015, 23 persons were charged in court over these offences and penalised, he said.
In some instances where it was found pharmacies were storing such drugs in excessive amounts when their invoices were being checked, they were advised and asked to take corrective action.
The Minister also said pharmacy owners and their assistants were frequently educated on the dangers of selling such medicines over the counter. The Minister said this in response to a question raised by UNP MP Buddhika Pathirana who asked if there is an increase in sex crimes within Sri Lanka due to the unregulated use of aphrodisiac medicines which can be easily and freely purchased in the market.
The Minister said no studies have been carried out to establish such a fact.