Sri Lanka, Nov. 2 -- Patients seeking treatment at private hospitals and medical centres are at risk due to a shortage of essential and life-saving medicines, Consultant Physician Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has warned.

Dr. Sanjeewa, President of the Medical Professionals' Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, said several medicines needed to treat patients during emergencies were currently unavailable in the private sector.

He said the shortage had affected medicines that private hospitals, nursing homes and medical centres were required to keep in stock.

The missing medicines include IV Adrenaline, Atropine, IV Piriton, IV Ondansetron, IV Maxolon, IV Phenergan and IV Hydrocortisone.

He blamed the shortage partly on suppliers and manufactu...