Local News: A meeting of the Special Presidential Task Force on Essential Services, presided over by its head Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, took place last morning (2020.03.28) at Temple Trees.
Ways and means of establishing a proper system for the distribution of medicines was discussed at the meeting. Participating in the discussion was Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Health Ministry Secretary Bhadrani Jayawardena, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, Acting IGP C.D. Wickremaratne, Post Master General Ranjith Ariyaratne, Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Prof. Asita De Silva, President – Lanka Pharmaceutical Traders’ Association Kapila De Soysa and the Superintendent of Central Mail Exchange A.H.M. Aslam.
The following decisions were taken for the distribution of medicines within the country in the current situation:
1. To use the Central Mail Exchange for the distribution of medicines required by patients registered at clinics in government hospitals.
2. To commence a system for the purchase and delivery of medicines by private pharmacies in the country. (A list of the private pharmacies registered for this purpose is attached.)
3. To initiate the delivery of medicines under a special system by the Rajya Osu Sala (SPC) and the Postal Department.
4. To continue the system as before for those requiring special medicines such as cancer patients.
