Sri Lanka, Feb. 7 -- The recent arrests with regard to purchases of substandard drugs seems to show that the authorities mean business this time with regard to less than clean deals by politicians and others in charge. However, the issue is now before judicial authorities.

At least on the surface it seems the long arm of the law is catching up. So it becomes difficult to comment on the specifics. Let the law take its course.

It's the larger issue about the pharmaceutical industry and medicinal drugs purchases that comes into the crosshairs. Irrespective of who gets snared and who escapes with regard to irregular purchases, it is clear that pharmaceutical industry procurements etc. are a special minefield.

There is corruption with regar...