-Written by Sampath Dillimuni
(Lanka-e-News -16.Oct.2024, 9.00 pm) Lanka e News has reported an unusual activity being conducted by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), a state institution notorious for corruption in recent times. The process of preparing and approving the documents required for the registration and approval of medicines and cosmetic products is handled by pharmacists working in this institution. However, it has been reported that this group of officials, who usually provide a subpar service during regular working hours, becomes highly efficient only when they receive bribes or special payments.
There have been severe allegations recently that this group fast-tracks the approval of necessary documents when bribes or special payments are made. A bizarre practice has come to light where, due to the inefficiency of these pharmacists, certain files have not been completed. To address this, the Ministry of Health had approved a payment of Rs. 5,000 per file during the previous government. Accordingly, it has been further reported that these pharmacists work extra hours on Saturdays and Sundays, around four hours, earning an allowance of Rs. 10,000 per weekend, making an additional Rs. 40,000 per month.
The specialty here is that they earn this Rs. 40,000 monthly allowance for working on the files they failed to complete during regular working hours due to their inefficiency. Additionally, it has come to light that a large number of these officers take leave during the weekdays and consistently come in on Saturdays and Sundays to work for four or five hours, earning the Rs. 5,000 per day allowance.
We question whether the foolish decision taken by the NMRA and health authorities to grant an allowance of Rs. 5,000 for four or five hours of work, which is actually due to the inefficiency of these pharmacists, is not a misuse and abuse of public funds.
Moreover, previously, due to corruption and irregularities, officers transferred out of the NMRA have been brought back to the institution by the Additional Secretary (Administration 1) of the Ministry of Health. Employees of the NMRA and various sources reveal that these transfers were made to facilitate further corruption and irregular activities.
In a previous instance, due to corruption and fraud, the administrative officer of this institution was sent on mandatory leave, and a development officer was appointed in their place. In government service, administrative officers are appointed based on experience and passing competitive exams. However, it is clear that the Chairman and CEO of the NMRA lack any knowledge of institutional management and administration, as their expertise seems to be limited to prescribing medicines.
In state administration, officers are appointed after 10 years of service and passing competitive exams. Simply having a degree does not qualify one for an administrative post. How was someone without these qualifications appointed to such a crucial administrative position in such an important institution? This is a question we pose to the NMRA Chairman and Board of Directors, and we emphasize that this is entirely a corrupt practice.
Another significant issue is that two pharmacists, who were transferred out of the institution due to corruption allegations, have been brought back. One of these pharmacists holds a leadership position in the Pharmacists’ Union, raising concerns among employees who oppose corruption about why such union leaders are suddenly being brought back to NMRA.
Furthermore, after the corrupt officers were transferred, a new department head was appointed to the licensing department. Reports suggest that these corrupt individuals are now scheming to take control of the licensing department after their return. Employees opposing corruption have stated that an assistant and a pharmacist named Tushara Ranadeva collaborated to blame the officers in the licensing department for breaking into a storeroom and filing a complaint with the police. This was allegedly a plot to take control of the department. It is also reported that the assistant in question, Pramod, is addicted to drugs, and the items found in the broken storeroom were drugs seized from pharmacies.
It is necessary to take immediate steps to investigate this corruption and safeguard the institution by strictly enforcing the law and taking swift action.
Lanka e News once again urges the Honorable Minister of Health and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to focus their attention on the NMRA, which has become an extremely corrupt institution and a den of thieves.
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by (2024-10-16 15:27:51)
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