Sri Lanka, May 1 -- Sri Lanka is facing a shortage of several essential medicines due to economic pressures and disruptions in the drug supply mechanism, a medical trade union representative has warned.

Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Trade Union Alliance Chairman Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said the ongoing depreciation of the rupee and rising inflation have led to external drug suppliers failing to maintain a proper supply system.

He said that the shortage has affected medicines used to treat major illnesses, creating difficulties for patients seeking treatment at external pharmacies.

According to Dr. Sanjeewa, patients suffering from cancer, kidney and liver diseases, as well as those awaiting surgeries and receiving treatment ...