The Supreme Court on June 6, 2012 directed the Minister of Health and the Secretary to the Ministry to formulate without delay, the national policy on drug/devices and to take necessary steps to enact the relevant laws.
The People’s Movement for Patients’ Rights had complained to the Court that the Health Minister had delayed the tabling of the relevant Bill in Parliament.
The petition had said that Sri Lanka could save billions of rupees currently spent on the health sector by using generic drugs.
The petitioner had said that the delay on the part of the minister was arbitrary and wanted the Court to direct the State to formulate the policy and table the Bill in Parliament, without delay.
The petition had been filed on June 29, 2009. Several dates were given since July 30, 2009, to finalise the draft pertaining to the regulations in respect of medical drugs, cosmetics nutritional foods etc.
The petition was supported by Krishmel Warnasuriya.
The Bench comprised Justice K. Sripavan, Justice S. I. Imam and Justice Priyasad Dep.
The Deputy Solicitor General, Sanjaya Rajaratnam, appeared for the State.
The case will be mentioned again on July 26, 2012.
By Chitra Weeraerathne
IS