Health Ministry comes down hard on errant pharmacies

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The sale of outdated medicine, low quality drugs and unregistered cosmetic devices by pharmacies and drug outlets in super-markets and shopping malls will be strictly dealt with by the Health Ministry with the assistance of the National Cosmetic Devices and Drug Authority (NCDDA).

It has been reported that some pharmacies and drug outlets in the city and the outstations are selling expensive drugs which are outdated and a variety of medicines to customers below the stipulated price.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena told the Sunday Observer that the Ministry receives complaints often regarding outdated drugs and cosmetic items, being sold by pharmacies and drug outlets.

It is also reported that numerous skin whitening creams are available freely in the market and nobody knows the contents of such products.

A large number of people visit State hospitals to seek treatment for skin disease caused by such products.

A senior official of the NCDDA said that steps have been taken to take action against pharmacies who do not have qualified pharmacists and do not maintain the requisite temperature in refrigerators that stock certain drugs.

He said that the Authority had conducted over 225 raids last year on private pharmacies that violated Health Department rules and regulations.