Sri Lankan health authorities have launched a high-level investigation into two deaths and several adverse reactions reported at government hospitals after patients were administered an anti-nausea injection, prompting regulators to suspend multiple drug batches linked to an Indian manufacturer.

The deaths, including that of a 23-year-old woman receiving treatment for dengue at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH), have raised fresh concerns over drug safety and oversight in the country’s public health system.

The young woman, identified as Sandumini Divyanjali, was admitted to IDH earlier this month with dengue fever. Her father, Thushara Kumbalathara, told the media that she developed severe complications shortly after being given medication through a saline drip.

He said her condition deteriorated rapidly within an hour of the injection, with sudden fever spikes, chills and convulsions. She was transferred to intensive care but died within 24 hours of admission. An inquest later returned an open verdict pending further investigations.

“We suspect something went wrong with the medicine given at the hospital. We still have no report explaining what happened,” her father said.

Health officials later confirmed that Sandumini was among the patients who had been administered Ondansetron, an anti-emetic commonly used to control vomiting.

A second death, involving a 37-year-old woman, was also reported after she developed complications following the same injection, according to Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa. Several other patients were reported to have suffered serious allergic-type reactions at hospitals in Colombo and Kandy.

In response, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) on Dec. 12 issued an “urgent” notice suspending the use and sale of four batches of Ondansetron Injection USP 8 mg/4 mL, marketed as Ondanman 8 and manufactured by Maan Pharmaceutical Ltd of India.

The affected batch numbers are OD24021E, OD25009E, OD25024E and OD25023E.

Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijayamuni said reports of mild complications linked to the drug had been received since late November, but authorities escalated action after the deaths and severe reactions were flagged.

“Once a death is reported, we treat it with the utmost seriousness,” he said, adding that all injections supplied by the same manufacturer have been temporarily suspended pending a full investigation.

On Dec. 16, the NMRA expanded the suspension to include 10 medicines imported through the same company, halting their use in both government hospitals and private pharmacies.

NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said initial alerts about possible contamination were received from hospital specialists, leading to an emergency review by a technical committee.

At the same time, health officials cautioned that investigations are ongoing and that it has not yet been conclusively established whether the deaths were directly caused by the drug, underlying illnesses or other treatments administered.

Health Minister Jayatissa acknowledged limitations in Sri Lanka’s capacity to test every imported drug shipment, noting that most quality checks are triggered after adverse events are reported.

Doctors’ groups have called for stronger regulatory safeguards, urging authorities to determine whether the problem occurred during manufacturing, transportation or storage.

“Identifying whether the defect occurred at the production stage is critical,” said Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, a spokesman for the Government Medical Officers’ Association. “Public confidence depends on transparent answers.”

For families like Sandumini’s, those answers cannot come soon enough.

“She went to the hospital to recover,” her father said. “We just want to know why she never came home.” (Newswire)

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The Government of India has gifted 50,000 ampoules of Furosemide injection 20mg/2ml to cater to the medicine shortage in Sri Lankan hospitals in the immediate term.

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, the stock of medicine has been granted in response to an urgent request from the Government of Sri Lanka.

The consignment was handed over by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha to the Minister of Health of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa at an event held at the Ministry of Health today (13 Mar).

Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr Anil Jasinghe, Director of Medical Supply Division, Dr. Dedunu Dias, and other senior officials from the Government of Sri Lanka also attended the event.

The Indian High Commission said in a statement that India has been a reliable friend and first responder for Sri Lanka during times of difficulties and shortages, including in the health sector. 

During the Covid-19 pandemic, India supplied over 25 tons of medicines on a special aircraft to Sri Lanka in May 2020; gifted 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine in January 2021; and 1 lakh Rapid Antigen Test kits in February 2022. 

In the wake of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, in February 2022, a USD 1 billion Credit Facility for the supply of essential items including medicines was extended in March 2022 for a period of one year, which was subsequently extended until March 2024 on the request of the Government of Sri Lanka. 

Over 26 tons of drugs and other medical supplies were provided to Peradeniya University Hospital, Jaffna Teaching Hospital, and Hambantota General Hospital, among others, in April-May 2022 to meet the acute shortage of medicines.

The Indian High Commission highlighted that the health sector has also been an important focus area for India’s development cooperation initiatives in Sri Lanka. 

Notable initiatives include the island-wide ‘1990 Suwa Seriya’ ambulance service; the construction of a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital at Dickoya; construction of a new surgical unit at Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa; infrastructure creation and up-gradation, as well as equipment supply, at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, District Hospitals at Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu; among others, it added. (Newswire)

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The suspect wanted in connection to the murder of a 70-year-old woman by administering a poisonous injection, has been arrested by the Dickwella Police.

An unidentified man had visited the lady and had administered the injection while engaging in conversation with her near her residence, after which he had fled the area on a motorcycle. 

The woman immediately informed her neighbours and was admitted to the Batheegama Hospital in Matara and later transferred to the Matara General Hospital, where she passed away on Tuesday after receiving treatment for four days. 

The Dickwella Police launched investigations into the murder, with relatives raising doubts if it was connected to a land dispute which was currently being deliberated in courts.

The Police also found CCTV footage of the unidentified man and the incident that had unfolded around the woman. 

When inquired, the Dickwella Police confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and remanded after being produced before the Matara Magistrate’s Court. (Newswire)

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