In 2023, a concerning number of 73 drugs have fallen short in quality assessments, as reported by the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry. The failed drugs encompass a range of origins, with 45 being produced in India, 17 locally manufactured, and the remainder hailing from countries including Pakistan, Japan, and Bangladesh.
The impacted drugs, following unsuccessful quality tests, have undergone various actions such as withdrawal, withholding, or discontinuation. Notably, the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation in Ratmalana has withdrawn a substantial 35 batches of Flucloxacillin Cap in May. This marks the highest batch withdrawal count since 2017.
Cumulatively, the Health Ministry has documented 585 instances of quality failures since 2017. Among these, 2019 saw the highest reported cases at 96, while 2022 witnessed 86 drugs failing quality assessments. These statistics underscore the ongoing efforts required to ensure drug quality and safety.
