The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says legal action has been taken against 23 private hospitals and medical laboratories across Sri Lanka after investigations uncovered the use and storage of expired chemicals and medicines, along with other consumer law violations.
According to the CAA, courts have imposed a total of Rs. 5,798,000 in fines in relation to the 23 cases filed so far.
The investigations, carried out through a series of islandwide raids targeting private hospitals, laboratories and pharmacies, revealed several serious irregularities that could pose risks to public health.
Among the violations detected were the use of expired chemicals for diagnostic and laboratory testing, keeping expired medicines for patient care and sale, charging laboratory fees above the maximum prices prescribed by the CAA, and storing expired chemicals together with unexpired chemicals without proper segregation.
The highest fine of Rs. 3 million was imposed on Venus Speciality Hospital (Pvt) Ltd by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court on July 21.
Lanka Hospital Diagnostics (Pvt) Ltd was fined Rs. 800,000 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court No. 5, while Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC, Nawaloka Laboratories, Kings Hospital Colombo, Durdans Hospital, Ceylon Hospital PLC, Royal Hospital and several other private healthcare institutions were also fined by courts in Colombo, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Eravur, Matara, Bandarawela and Negombo.
The CAA said legal action is also expected to be taken against other institutions that were investigated.
It added that islandwide inspections and raids will continue to ensure compliance with consumer protection laws and to safeguard public health.
The Authority urged members of the public to report similar irregularities through its 1977 hotline during office hours. (Newswire)
01. Venus Speciality Hospital (Pvt) Ltd
02. Lanka Hospital Diagnostics (Private) Limited
03. Asiri Hospital Holdings PLC
04. Asiri Hospital Holdings
05. Nawaloka Laboratories (Pvt) Ltd
06. Kings Hospital Colombo (Pvt) Ltd
07. Durdans Hospital
08. Durdans Medical Center (Pvt) Ltd
09. Cooperative Hospital MPCS
10. Ceylon Hospital PLC
11. Ceylon Hospital PLC
12. Nawa Suwa Sewana Private Hospital
13. Lanka Hospital Diagnostics (Pvt) Ltd
14. Royal Hospital (Pvt) Ltd
15. Yarl Mother Care Hospital
16. Wayamba Diagnostic Medical Laboratory (Pvt) Ltd
17. Unique Diagnostic (Pvt) Ltd
18. Aloka Diagnosis Laboratory
19. Heladiwa Healthcare Center
20. Union Medi Lab
21. Mohotti Medi Lab
22. New Logic Laboratory
23. Ravindu Laboratory
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