The handful of drug importing companies, in cohorts with top officials of the ministry, waits until drugs are in short supply.

As a result, there is a scarcity of several essential drugs, exposing patients’ lives to risk.

There is suspicion that it is part of this fraud that the newly established Drug Authority’s not having registered any drug or issued any licenses for eight months now, said the ministry spokesman.

However, the government has provided all staff, infrastructure, funds etc. needed by the Drug Authority.

It has also suspended issuing licenses for the importation of drugs for personal use and drugs for cancer.

No drug shortage

However, health minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne says the country is experiencing no shortage of drugs.

He told the opening of a new ward complex at Kandy General Hospital yesterday (15), also attended by president Maithripala Sirisena, that the polio and diphtheria vaccines had been in short supply due to faults of officials.