The Medicines Regulatory Authority states that the drug called 'Bupivacaine', which is used for anesthesia imported from India, has been withdrawn from use.
 
The authority said that this step was taken after it was reported that two patients died after using the medicine.
 
Mrs. A.G. Karunawathi, the principal of Maussava Junior College, Kandy, had undergone a he ia operation on March 31 last.

She had been admitted to the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital the day before that.
 
Despite the hope of retu ing home in two days, she had to be admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit for treatment.
 
Mrs. A.G. Karunavathi had died on the 15th while she was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

Dr. Arjuna Thilakaratne, Director of Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, said that after the anesthetic injection, she was receiving treatment in the intensive care unit in a critical condition.
 
The Director of Peradeniya Teaching Hospital confirmed that a woman who was admitted for childbirth two months ago also died after being given the anesthetic injection for the caesarean section.
 
The Union of Health Professionals revealed that this drug was brought to Sri Lanka with the permission of the Drug Regulatory Authority.
(colombotimes.lk)