COPE Probing Imports of a Cancer Vaccine Fraud Summons SPC Top Officials

Recently the joint opposition disclosed  that malpractices had taken place when importing ‘Hearticad’- a breast cancer vaccine, and accused Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and top officials of the SPC of being involved in the racket. The JO had lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission on March 01 stating that the Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne committed a crime by importing Rs.1, 500 million worth of vaccines,  which were detrimental to the health of cancer patients and putting their lives at risk.

Followed by this, the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE)  has commenced an inquiry  on  alleged financial fraud said to have taken place when importing a cancer vaccine called ‘Taxacad’ locally known as ‘Hearticad’. The COPE  reported to have  summon State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC)  officials  to appear before it  for an examination on 6^th April 2017.

However, the Chairman of the SPC Mr. Sarath Liyanage confirmed that COPE had summoned them but maintained that it was only to question them regarding the 2014 SPC Annual report.