The Ministry of Health and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) have launched separate probes into the deaths of two patients at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) in Angoda, after being administered an injection containing ondansetron.
According to the Lankadeepa newspaper, the patients were given Ondansetron, a prescription anti-sickness medication used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.
Chairman of the NMRA, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, said a comprehensive probe has been launched to ascertain whether the deaths were caused due to the medicine.
He further said that the Indian company that had imported the medicine has also been informed in writing to suspend the use of the medication.
Ananda Wijewickrama revealed that, as such, the use of the medication has been suspended at both government and private hospitals and clinics.
An investigation report into the vaccines by the Kandy Hospital’s Microbiology Laboratory said that the vaccinations contained bacteria, and based on this report, the vaccine was removed from use, he said.
Stating that the NMRA has launched a comprehensive investigation based on the report, the NMRA Chairman said that the vaccine is prohibited from being used until the conclusion of the probe.
He added that the NMRA has written to the Indian Company that imported the medicine to provide details on the vaccination to the NMRA before December 28. (Newswire)