Govt. mechanism to deliver essential medicines

Friday, 27 March 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government yesterday said it is drafting out a mechanism to deliver essential medicines to people during the curfew.

The Prime Minister’s Media Division said the decision was taken at a meeting held at Temple Trees yesterday, with the participation of Presidential Task Force on Continuous Supply, Operation and Coordination of Essential Services Head Basil Rajapaksa.

During the meeting, attention was given to patients who were receiving treatment for diabetes, blood pressure, and other non-communicable diseases, and providing medicine during the curfew.

According to the Prime Minister’s Media Division, during the meeting it was revealed that sufficient pharmaceutical stocks were currently available locally. Issues relating to the continued production of locally-produced medicines were also discussed, it said.

“The pharmaceutical importers pointed out that there were problems in importing drugs from India due to their lockdown and requested the Government to take necessary measures to address the issue,” the statement said. “Following the request, Basil Rajapaksa held a telephone conversation with the Indian health authorities, and he was able to address the issues,” it added.