Mar 18, Colombo: National Organizer of the Prof. Senaka Bibile Commemoration Committee in Sri Lanka Dr. Jayantha Bandara says the country wastes close to Rs. 40 billion annually on the importation of unnecessary drugs.

He explained that a National Drug Policy would prevent the importation of unnecessary pharmaceuticals to the country thereby saving billions of rupees.

He is of the view that important and necessary pharmaceuticals would be imported to the country under the National Drug Policy.

Dr. Bandara noted that it was the patients who had to suffer due to the substandard but yet expensive pharmaceuticals that are imported to the country.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has assured that the National Drug Policy would be implemented in the country by May.