COLOMBO, Sri Lanka— A Sri Lankan lawmaker has alleged that three people died after receiving doses of Human Immunoglobulin imported under the current government, prompting fresh concerns over drug safety and regulatory oversight.
Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara made the disclosure during a parliamentary debate on financial and regulatory measures.
Jayasekara said the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) initially tested the imported Human Immunoglobulin and found it failed quality standards, leading to a suspension of distribution. “The NMRA confirmed the samples had failed and ordered the stock to be removed,” he told Parliament.
He claimed the importing company later secured certification from India instead of an internationally accredited laboratory. “Normally, Indian-made products are tested in Germany or other countries, not in India itself. But in this case, they obtained certification from India and continued,” Jayasekara said.
Three patients — one at Colombo North Hospital, another at Kandy Hospital, and a third in Trincomalee — reportedly died after receiving the drug. Two of the victims were identified as K.D. Sujeewa and W.D. Nandasena.
“Who will take responsibility for these deaths? Who will be held accountable?” Jayasekara asked, urging the government to respond.
The incident follows previous controversies involving pharmaceutical imports in Sri Lanka and raises new concerns over the country’s regulatory framework for medicines.
