NMRA gets new Chief amidst substandard medicines controversy 

Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama was appointed as the Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) yesterday. The appointment was made by the Minister of Health Dr. Ramesh Pathirana.

The letter of appointment was handed over to the new NMRA Chairman during a special discussion at the Health Ministry with NMRA officials.

Wijewickrama takes over from Prof. S.D. Jayaratne, bringing an end to the latter’s tumultuous tenure at the agency, which has been marred by allegations of neglecting responsibilities in preventing substandard medicines from entering the state health system.

The issue of procuring substandard medication gained significant attention, particularly in the wake of deaths resulting from the alleged administration of several medicines leading to the subsequent withdrawal of these medications by the Health Ministry.

Wijewickrama has been a vociferous critic of the NMRA under the leadership of Jayaratne. In July, he accused the NMRA of ignoring recommendations made by the specialists’ consultant committee and authorising the import of medicines which the Ministry of Health had requested.

Dr. Wijewickrama, who commenced his public service career in 1992, achieved the status of a specialist doctor in 2000. Currently, he holds the position of senior consultant physician at the Infectious National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) in Angoda.