The National Cosmetic Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority (NCDDRA) has been instructed by the Health Minister to increase the frequency of raids on private pharmacies as a precautionary measure against the violation of the National Drugs and Cosmetic Devices Act, the Health Ministry said yesterday.
Spokesman W.M.D. Wanninayake said Minister Maithripala Sirisena had instructed NCDDRA Director Dr. Hemantha Beneragama to ensure that the Act was strictly complied with.
A NCDDRA report had revealed that 189 private pharmacies were raided and fines up to two million rupees imposed on pharmacies which were found guilty of violating the Act.
Mr. Wanninayake said most pharmacies which were raided had been found operating without a valid licence or issuing drugs without a prescription or for the wrong storage of drugs.
“Certain pharmacies were without qualified pharmacists while some were found promoting drugs not registered under the NCDDRA,” he said and added that some 18 private pharmacies as well as four shops selling cosmetics in Colombo were raided during the weekend.
DailyMirror: