National Drug Policy to be implemented from January 2011

The Health Minister said that the Government would implement the National Drug Policy from January 2011 based on the Senaka Bibile Pharmaceutical Proposals.

All the proposals that are in the Senaka Bibile policy would be incorporated into this national drug policy and will be gradually implemented commencing January next year.

The Government has taken several measures during the past six months to improve facilities for hospital staff and the hospitals with the prime objective of providing a better health service to patients and creating a healthy population in the country.

Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena said that as part of this on-going programme he frequently holds discussions with various sections in the health sector and makes attempts to provide redress wherever possible.

He said that there were 104 trade unions within the health sector, and it was regretful that one union, with a hidden political agenda, made an unsuccessful attempt recently to disrupt the health services in the country.