Sri Lankans are facing difficulties obtaining intraocular lenses, typically provided free of charge in hospitals, The Sunday Morning learns.

It is also learnt that patients are now being forced to pay up to Rs. 50,000 for the lenses, as delays in procurement have left the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) without stocks since 2023-2024.

The lenses are used for treating cataracts and addressing various vision problems.

When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa revealed that the price borne by patients when purchasing cataract lenses reaches Rs. 50,000.00.

According to him, the MSD had last received cataract lenses in 2023-2024, despite the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation’s call for tenders to purchase cataract lenses. 

Conflict between the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and the MSD regarding the technical specifications of cataract lenses had delayed the awarding of the relevant tender for almost nine months.

“Everyone is afraid to make a decision. This is not a matter of one specific medicine or item, but a complex issue,” MSD Director General Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe told The Sunday Morning.

“We can’t just pull up one medicine and speak on it as there is a vast amount of medicinal items in the country and the procurement of medicines is a collective decision.”

He added that the shortage was not simply due to a matter of conflict, pointing out that each of the relevant institutions was working towards solving issues with procurement to the best of their ability.

According to Dr. Sanjeewa, when a tender is awarded, it is done after reaching a final agreement on the specifics that affect it. 

Due to objections being raised by the medical provider regarding those specifics after the tender had been awarded, the procurement of cataract lenses had been impacted, thus causing a shortage.

“The poor and innocent people of this country continue to suffer due to the administrative weaknesses existing between the various units of the Ministry of Health,” he charged.

Sri Lanka continues to experience a shortage of not just medications but also cardiac catheters, stents, and surgical equipment.

“There are many types of catheters and stents needed for cardiac angiogram tests. Due to the lack of the types of stents required by patients, patients have to purchase them from outside at higher prices,” Dr. Sanjeewa said.

He emphasised that patients were suffering due to the shortage of equipment required for serious surgeries in many hospitals across the island.

When contacted, NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama requested the newspaper to speak to the MSD.