LINA pioneers export of dry powder respiratory care products

LINA Manufacturing Ltd. has made history in the local pharmaceuticals export industry by exporting the first-ever consignment of respiratory care dry powder for inhalation (in capsule form) from Sri Lanka.

Asthma is one of the most prevalent respiratory diseases in Sri Lanka. It has been found that inhalant products are the most effective in the treatment of the disease. Since these drugs have not been locally produced before, Sri Lanka had no alternative but to import them at enormous cost to the country in terms of foreign exchange.

Responding to this acute need in the national health domain, Dr. Anil Goonatillaka, a respected physician, undertook research in the manufacture of dry powder capsules for inhalation. After more than 10 years of scrupulous research, in which he enlisted the participation of professionals such as pharmacologists and production and quality assurance specialists, he established an organisation for the manufacture of respiratory care dry powder for inhalation (capsules) in Sri Lanka. He named this organisation LINA. It remains the only company to manufacture the drug in Sri Lanka. In addition to this, Dr. Goonatilleka developed a device for the patient to inhale the contents of the capsules; this he managed to do with the assistance of the Engineering Faculty of the University of Moratuwa.

In the year 2011, Akbar Pharmaceuticals, a leading pharmaceutical company and a subsidiary of the Akbar Brothers Group of Companies, invested in LINA Manufacturing Ltd., which manufactures this product. LINA is conducting further research under Dr. Goonatillaka and his highly qualified team for enhancing the product range.

LINA received the first export order for its formulation this year, which the company dispatched on 16, August 2011. “This is the first time Sri Lanka is exporting a formulation of a dry powder for inhalation and Akbar Pharmaceuticals and LINA are indeed proud to be the pioneers in doing so. This shows that the quality of our products even meet international standards,” Director and General Manager Rohan Wetthasingha said.