The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) stated the silence of health authorities regarding the Ondansetron and other withdrawn vaccines suspected to have caused deaths in several hospitals during the latter half of last year (2025) has raised serious suspicion.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (5), MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa claimed the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had stated that initial tests conducted at the National Hospital in Kandy detected bacterial toxins in the vaccine batches. However, he said that health authorities had thus far failed to disclose the relevant international reports related to the issue.

"It has now been more than six months since nearly ten batches of vaccines, including Ondansetron, were temporarily withdrawn from use. However, the NMRA and the Health Ministry have yet to announce the outcome of the relevant international tests," he said, alleging that the authorities have taken a lethargic approach despite a Supreme Court ruling that administering medicines to patients without ensuring their quality and safety amounts to a violation of fundamental rights.

Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe was not available for comment. 

Late last year, the NMRA ordered the immediate withdrawal of 10 injectable medicines used in hospital settings following reports of adverse drug reactions and concerns over product quality. The medicines withdrawn included Ondansetron Injection USP 8 mg/4 mL; Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection BP 1,000 mg; Co-amoxiclav for Injection BP 1.2 g and 600 mg; Haloperidol Injection BP 5 mg/mL; Imipenem and Cilastatin for Injection 1 g (500 mg/500 mg); Iron Sucrose Injection USP 100 mg/5 mL; Meropenem for Injection USP 1 g; Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection USP 4.5 g; and Sulbactam and Cefoperazone for Injection 1 g.