Laws soon to punish errant drug suppliers

Legislation would be introduced in Parliament soon to punish those who supply contaminated drugs and the officials who were responsible for the recent drug shortage in the country would be taken to task, said Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena.

The Minister told the 13th Pharmaceutical Corporation Suppliers Convention at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy that the Government's health policy is to provide a quality health service to the people.

The Government which has allocated Rs. 66,000 million for the Health Ministry this year has a duty in ensuring that the pharmaceutical and surgical items of standard quality are made available to patients, the Minister said.

LSAW