• SJB alleges shortage of 40 cancer meds and presence of unreg. cancer drugs in mkt.

A complaint has been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (26), calling for an investigation into an alleged shortage of 40 cancer medications and claims that unregistered cancer drugs are currently circulating in the market. The complaint was lodged by the main Opposition, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman, together with the Chairperson of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights organisation, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa.

Commenting on the issue, Dr. Sanjeewa stated that particularly at the National Cancer Institute/Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama, there is a severe shortage of nearly 40 types of cancer medicines. Due to the unavailability of these drugs, patients are compelled to purchase them from external factions at excessively high prices. He further noted that serious concerns exist regarding the quality and safety of such externally procured medicines. Dr. Sanjeewa also alleged that unregistered cancer drugs are circulating in the market, raising uncertainty about their contents and safety.

Meanwhile, addressing the media, Rahman emphasised that it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that imported medicines meet the required quality standards and are duly registered before being made available to the public.