COPE Reveals Forged Documents in Drug Imports

⭕ The COPE (Committee on Public Enterprises) has been informed that forged documents were found during the 2022-2023 emergency drug procurement process.

⭕ Mr. Saveen Semage, Chief Executive Officer of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), stated that several such forged documents were found due to the non-registration of drugs.

⭕ Mr. Semage mentioned that 6 forged documents were found in the past year alone, and statements have been given to the Financial Crimes Investigation Division regarding these incidents.

⭕ Member of Parliament Asitha Niroshana Egodawidan revealed that the highest number of Waiver Of Registration (WOR) for drugs had been obtained in the years 2022 and 2023.

⭕ The Member of Parliament stated that 656 WORs were obtained in 2022 and 261 in 2023, and that large-scale irregularities had occurred in emergency drug procurement during that period.

⭕ Dr. G. Wijesuriya, Deputy Director General of Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health, stated that discussions are underway regarding granting permission to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) to directly import essential medicines.