Resistance and utilisation pattern of antibacterial agents in outpatient settings in two Teaching Hospitals in Colombo.

Objectives: Antibacterial resistance (ABR) is a public threat. Sri Lanka is a country with limited surveillance of ABR in the community. The WHO methodology was adapted to identify ABR in outpatient settings (nonhospitalised patients) and its link to consumption of antibiotics.

A quick inexpensive laboratory method in acute paracetamol poisoning could improve risk assessment, management and resource utilization.

Objectives: Acute paracetamol poisoning is an emerging problem in Sri Lanka. Management guidelines recommend ingested dose and serum paracetamol concentrations to assess the risk. Our aim was to determine the usefulness of the patient's history of an ingested dose of >150 mg/kg and paracetamol concentration obtained by a simple colorimetric method to assess risk in patients with acute paracetamol poisoning.

Medicine prices, availability and affordability in Sri Lanka.

Background: No pricing formula has been implemented from November 2002 to date in Sri Lanka. Therefore, we initiated a study in 2003 to determine the prices, availability and affordability of medicines in the private sector of Sri Lanka in the absence of a price control.

Materials And Methods: The World Health Organization/Health Action International methodology was used.