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Friday, 16 March 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Skandha Gunasekara
In an attempt to prevent rumours being spread over the emergence of “sterilisation” pills, a consortium of medical professional yesterday asserted that no such medication had ever been developed.
Consultant Physician at the Colombo National Hospital, Dr. Upul Dissanayake, while acknowledging that some drugs may affect the reproductive system negatively as a side effect, categorically denied allegations of the existence of an infertility pill.
“Although there are some medicines that, as a side effect, can reduce the sperm count in men, but that too only after a prolonged period, this effect can be reversed once the patient discontinues the use of that medicine. Also, these kinds of drugs can only be obtained with a prescription. Therefore, we can safely say that we are 100% sure that no such medication has been developed in western medicine. With regards to Ayurveda medicine we cannot make a statement as we don’t have the expertise, but my personal opinion is that, scientifically, no one has been able to develop such medication.”
With regard to the findings of the investigations carried out by the police into the incident in Ampara where there were claims of a “sterilisation pill” being used, Forensic Medicine Specialist Dr. Ravindra Fernando said that authorities had ascertained that it was not medicine that was found to have contaminated the food.
“The Government Analysts Department is the sole authoritative body that examines samples. The Government Analysts found that it was in fact flour that was in the food, not some medication,”
Meanwhile, Dr. Anula Wijesundara, consultant physician and President-elect of Sri Lanka Medical Association, said that medical professionals would continue to educate the masses on the medical issues affecting society.
“We must admit that we are a bit late in giving the explanation. We should have done this earlier but we will continue this practice of issuing statements regarding medical problems. We will look into establishing an official mechanism of doing so.”
