A new Health Ministry circular allowing patients to buy unavailable medicines and surgical items from outside has triggered serious concerns among Sri Lankan doctors. Clinicians say vague rules, daily paperwork, and limited pharmacy access are disrupting patient care, risking safety, and overwhelming hospital staff.
Doctors Raise Alarm Over Health Ministry Circular on Buying Medicines Externally
Sri Lanka’s medical community is in uproar over a controversial circular issued by the Ministry of Health allowing government hospital patients to purchase unavailable drugs, surgical equipment, and other essential items from external sources.
While the circular intends to ensure uninterrupted medical care and uphold patients’ rights to source missing high-value items, such as surgical staplers and meshes—at their own cost, leading medical experts are raising red flags over numerous practical, ethical, and operational pitfalls.
Clinicians Demand Clarity and Real-Time Updates
Doctors say one of the biggest challenges lies in the requirement that each clinical unit be notified in writing, daily, of unavailable medicines or supplies. Without such documentation, they cannot formally confirm a shortage exists creating delays and confusion when directing patients to external suppliers.
Busy hospital settings often see frequent stockouts of basic but essential items like antibiotics or enemas. Requiring written documentation for each item creates massive administrative burdens and risks delaying patient care, physicians warn. As a practical solution, several clinicians have proposed introducing a monetary threshold, requiring written authorisation only for items exceeding Rs 2,500.
Vague Ethical Guidelines Add to the Confusion
Medical professionals are also concerned about undefined terms like “best interest” and “highest ethical standards” cited in the circular. These, they argue, are open to interpretation and could lead to inconsistent implementation across hospitals and clinical settings.
Without precise definitions, clinicians say they risk misinterpretation or disciplinary action based on subjective readings of vague terminology.
Infrastructure and Workflow Gaps
Many clinics and hospital wards reportedly lack ready access to the required disclosure forms and often struggle with the 24/7 availability of authorized officers and pharmacists to validate and approve external purchases.
Experts also point out a critical flaw in the circular only generic drug names are listed, and there is no clarity regarding National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) certification. This omission raises serious concerns over quality control, patient safety, and liability.
Referral Restrictions Threaten Access to Rare Medications
Adding to the frustration, the circular prohibits medical officers from recommending specific pharmacies even in cases where rare or lifesaving drugs are only available at certain locations. Doctors argue that this restriction severely compromises timely treatment, especially in urgent care scenarios.
In summary, while the Health Ministry’s intention to empower patients and reduce drug shortages is appreciated, the current framework has sparked unrest within the healthcare system. Medical experts are urgently calling for revised guidelines, practical thresholds, defined ethical standards, and logistical support to avoid a collapse in frontline care delivery.
