It is reported that according to an order of the Director General of Health Services, the list of medicines, surgical equipment and laboratory requirements that can be ordered for the year 2024 has been cut by sixty percent.
Accordingly, the Association of Health Professionals has revealed in a press conference held in Colombo yesterday (07) that 497 types of medicines, 5301 surgical instruments and 2219 laboratory equipment and other requirements have been removed from the supply register.
Mr. Ravi Kumudesh, the president of the association, has stated that among the drugs that have been removed, some cancer drugs as well as essential drugs such as vitamin C that can be supplied at a low cost have been restricted.
All the data about this cut has also been entered into the Health Data System of the Medical Supplies Division.
He emphasized that the laboratory requirements were decided without consulting any professional.