The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for this opportunity.

¶ 02 Since morning we have been discussing medicines, and I wish to respond specifically. Hon. Gayanna Karunathilaka read from a newspaper early today. In fact, some of these papers are owned by certain pharmaceutical companies; some TV readings are also sponsored likewise. Some Members’ families even have companies; because problems of such companies were raised, we must respond.

¶ 03 On human immunoglobulin, we have repeatedly answered. Immunoglobulin is not a vaccine; it is a medicine, mainly used for patients in ICUs — critically ill, at risk of death. If a patient dies and there is any suspicion whether a drug contributed, investigations are done. The NMRA has a Safety and Risk Evaluation Subcommittee. When we have suspicions, we temporarily withhold administration and refer it to that Committee for tests. They decide whether to test locally or internationally. The company can also submit reports accepted globally. But we do not resume use merely on that report; we decide independently. Hundreds of such evaluations occur annually. Fear around human immunoglobulin causes anxiety; problems intensify when a supplier outside certain trading groups provides the product.

¶ 04 Regarding Papaverine, a newspaper suggested cardiac surgeries would stop. That is false. I spoke with cardiothoracic units in Galle, Kandy, Colombo and Jaffna. No such issue. Galle and Nuwara Eliya requested permission for local purchase due to low stocks. We need 3,290 vials per year — a small quantity. When registering suppliers we assess quality and price. Previously, prices were unchecked; suppliers charged at whim. I have said here before: this drug was sold at Rs. 76,000, while in SAARC countries the retail price is Rs. 3,708. This time, bids at varying prices came; currently only one company — the approved one — has the import authorization, quoting Rs. 329.69. But they often avoid our tenders; when companies fail to bid, we establish alternative procurement to secure supply, including government-to-government arrangements. That is why some are agitated: local purchases let them sell at Rs. 40,000–50,000. We will buy now — but this is the last time at that route; the price is in the few hundreds of rupees. Local manufacturers quoted around Rs. 2,500 and another at Rs. 11,645, but without NMRA registration and quality verification we cannot accept. The NMRA is not only a registration body; it evaluates safety and also regulates prices. Some dislike that, but we will strengthen it with resources.

¶ 05 Thank you.