Sri Lanka to implement a National Drug Policy from next year

The Sri Lankan government plans to introduce a National Drug Policy stepwise from next year, the Minister of Health announced Thursday.

Addressing the local media Sri Lanka's Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said the National Drug Policy will incorporate all the proposals set forth by the late Prof. Senaka Bibile.
Minister Sirisena said the government has taken several measures during the past six months to remedy the drug shortage in government hospitals and improve facilities at hospitals to provide a better health service to the patients.

Commenting on the recent nurses' union strike, the Minister said a cabinet sub committee will consider amendments to the Nursing Service Minutes that are in effect without revision since 1984.

The Cabinet has taken up the proposal to revise the Sri Lanka Nursing Service Minutes and it has been forwarded for review to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Establishment Matters and advice the Cabinet at the next Cabinet Meeting. Minister Sirisena said.