Sri Lanka, Jan. 19 -- Amid an ongoing shortage of essential cancer medicines in state hospitals, serious concerns have been raised over the sale of unregistered Indian drugs in private pharmacies across the country.

Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that he has informed the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA) in writing that several unregistered medicines, including cancer drugs imported from India, are being sold in external pharmacies.

In his letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the NMRA, Dr. Sanjeewa said that medicines not registered with the Sri Lanka Drug Regulatory Authority are openly available, particularly in pharmacies located near major hospi...