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Pharmacies complain drug transportation hindered by police
Lack of police support to transport medicinal drugs to pharmacies during the curfew has resulted in the shortage of drugs and people being turned away, the industry complains.
In some instances, people have made use of the online facility to order huge amounts of drugs to last for months. This, too, has resulted in a shortage of vital drugs including drugs taken for diabetes, hypertension and cancer.
The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Importers’ Association (SLPIA) charged that police were hindering the movement of supply vans in spite of producing curfew passes.
President Kasturi Selvaraj said every police station should be informed about the importance of the service of transporting drugs.
“We are committed to carrying out an uninterrupted service to the public,” she said.
She assured that the private suppliers had stocks to last for the next three months and the public need not panic.
Pharmaceutical imports, she said, were continuing smoothly despite lockdown conditions in many countries that supply the drugs to Sri Lanka.
“We have no issues regarding obtaining our consignments other than logistical problems because of airports and sea ports being closed in those countries,” she said.
“It took us a week to sort out initial problems, but now we have resolved 75 percent of the issues,” Ms Selvaraj said.
Meanwhile, the National Medicine Drug Authority (NMRA) announced that in view of the prevailing situation and the public clamour to purchase pharmaceuticals, it has recommended that all pharmacies islandwide should be kept open from Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily despite the curfew.
NMRA Director General and Chief Executive Officer Kamal Jayasinghe, however, advised those visiting pharmacies to adhere to the instructions to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19. This included including wearing face masks, washing or sanitising hands and maintaining social distance.
He also suggested that Grama Niladharis could appoint area volunteers with curfew passes to get drugs for those who are unable themselves to go to pharmacies.
Mr. Jayasinghe said mobile pharmacies are operating in the Moneragala, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Vavuniya, Ratnapura, Batticaloa and Hambantota districts to cater to the people in remote areas.
The online pharmacy service with the home delivery facility will also continue, he said.
| To remain open or not is the question | |
| Pharmacy owners are in a quandary over the Health Ministry’s decision to keep pharmacies open islandwide in spite of the curfew. This follows confusion among law enforcement authorities that the pharmacies could operate only on two days. The Health Ministry last week decided to keep the pharmacies opened daily including on weekends to overcome the rush that occured when curfew was lifted. However it is learnt that police have informed pharmacy owners that they were allowed to operate only on two days April 9 and 10. The All Island Private Pharmacy Owners Association (AIPPOA) said that their 3000 odd members were now in a quandary as to their operational times. The association’s president Chandrika Gankanda said although the IGP was present at the Health Ministry meeting when the decision was taken to keep pharmacies open he insists that the Covid 19 Task Force (CTF) should also agree with the decision. IGP has insisted that a letter be obtained from (CTF) to keep pharmacies open on a daily basis. The AIPPOA has written to Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachi informing her of the development.
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| State importer says drugs aplenty | |
| The state pharmaceuticals corporation, the body in charge of importing pharmaceutical drugs and hospital devices that are distributed to hospitals has assured people there is enough stock. The general manager ,K.D.M.R Dassanayake, said that despite the lockdowns overseas, orders will not be affected. He said arrangements have been made with the Indian authorities to have drugs sent without delay. Following discussions with Indian authorities it has been agreed to send consignments by special flights. “Our focus is on India, our main supplier. The other suppliers including Pakistan and China have no issues,’’ he said . Meanwhile, this week the Indian High Commission donated 10 tons of pharmaceuticals to Sri Lanka. The stock has been delivered to the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) Mr Dassanayake said. Director of the MSD, Dr. Kapila Wickramaratne said that there is no shortage of drugs but the MSD is experiencing a slowdown in the distribution network due to the quarantine curfew. |