Laboratory Services
The Laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology, perform a number of laboratory investigations as a paid service. All test results will be available the same day.
Drug Information Service
The Department of Pharmacology of the Colombo Medical Faculty, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health inaugurated a Drug Information Service and Monitoring of Adverse Drug Reactions in January 1999. This unit is named INFO-VIG.
- To provide a reliable and balanced source of drug information to health professionals
- To promote the rational use of drugs
- To promote reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADR) and to evaluate and document reported ADRs
- To provide knowledge on drugs and drug related problems to the general public and to answer their queries on drugs.
- To qualify for membership in the WHO collaborating centre for International Drug Monitoring (Uppsala Monitoring Centre)
The center is located within the department and all the senior staff members are involved in providing information as and when required.
Staff of the Centre
- Professor Priyadarshani Galappathy
- Professor Shalini Sri Ranganathan
- Professor Chamari Weeraratne (Head)
- Professor Priyanga Ranasinghe
- Dr. Chiranthi Liyanage
- Dr. Vipula Bataduwaarachchi
- Dr. Uthpali Mannaperuma
- Dr. Dhanusha Thambavita
When a question is received, the detailed query and the callers basic details are documented and a literature search is started. Answers are obtained from up-to-date medical and pharmaceutical journals, standard reference books, the Faculty’s own library and computerized on-line data bases. Details of the inquiries received and the responses provided by the centre are documented in a standard question/answer form. Each record contains the date, inquirers name and status, detailed inquiry, reply, reference/ sources used and the names of the person/s who answered the query. In most instances queries have been answered within 12 hours of receiving the query.
The centre within 2 years of its inception was successful in obtaining WHO International Monitoring Centre Uppsala, Sweden recognition for the work done in ADR monitoring and Sri Lanka was accepted as the 59 th member country of its international network in January 2000.
One of the major tasks of the Drug Information Service is the compilation of The Sri Lanka Prescriber. The Sri Lanka Prescriber is the premiere drug information bulletin in Sri Lanka which is a member of the International Society of Drug Bulletins (ISDB) and provides independent information to medical practitioners. This is a quarterly journal published by the Department of Pharmacology and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation with a circulation of 5500 and all doctors employed by the Ministry of Health and Universities are provided copies free of charge. The Sri Lanka Prescriber which has been in continuous publication since 1993 makes a significant contribution towards dissemination of independent drug information to the prescribers in Sri Lanka and is a main function of the Drug Information Service of the Department.
Sri Lanka Prescriber
The Sri Lanka Prescriber (SLP) is the only national, independent drugs and therapeutics bulletin in the country. Published quarterly by the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, in collaboration with the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), it has served as a source of unbiased, evidence-based information for several decades.
The Sri Lanka Prescriber evolved from the pocket size bulletins published by the Department of Pharmacology, Formulary Notes, which began publishing in 1966, continued as ‘The Prescriber’ from 1973. The Sri Lanka Prescriber started publication in the current format in 1993, which is also a continuation of the two previous bulletins. The Sri Lanka Prescriber continues with an updated scope and an Editorial Board from 2025.
The Sri Lanka Prescriber (SLP) is the only national, independent drugs and therapeutics bulletin in the country. Published quarterly by the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, in collaboration with the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), it has served as a source of unbiased, evidence-based information for several decades.
The Sri Lanka Prescriber evolved from the pocket size bulletins published by the Department of Pharmacology, Formulary Notes, which began publishing in 1966, continued as ‘The Prescriber’ from 1973. The Sri Lanka Prescriber started publication in the current format in 1993, which is also a continuation of the two previous bulletins. The Sri Lanka Prescriber continues with an updated scope and an Editorial Board from 2025.
Visit – https://www.slprescriber.lk/ for further information
The journal covers a broad range of contents, including:
- Therapeutic guidelines and best practices tailored to Sri Lankan healthcare
- Medication safety issues, including medication errors, adverse reactions and drug interactions
- Independent drug reviews and cost-effectiveness evaluations
- Regulatory updates from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA)
- Case reports and series on locally observed adverse drug reactions, medication errors and drug interactions
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of therapeutic interventions
- Educational content on pharmacology, prescribing, and emerging areas like pharmacogenomics and AI
The Editorial Board, comprising Senior Professors, Clinicians, and Pharmacists with diverse specialties, brings together extensive expertise in pharmacology, medicine, and related disciplines.
Guided by distinguished editors, the board ensures the highest academic and professional standards, fostering excellence in publishing and advancing Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Sri Lanka and beyond. With a commitment to integrity and innovation, the board plays a vital role in shaping the future of practice through its publications.
EDITORS
- Professor Gita Fernando MBBS, FRCP, FCCP
- Professor Laal Jayakody MBBS, MRCP, PhD
- Professor Priyadarshani Galappatthy MBBS, MD, FRCP, FCCP
EDITORIAL BOARD
- Chinta Abayawardana Diploma in Pharmacy
- Professor Anuja Abayadeera MBBS, FRCA, MD
- Dr. Thushan Gooneratne MBBS, MD, MRCS
- Dr. Chandana Jayasundara MBBS, MD, MRCOG
- Dr. Chiranthi Liyanage MBBS, MD, MRCP
- Professor Nishani Lucas MBBS, DCH, MD, MRCPCH
- Professor Chamila Mettananda MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCP, FCCP, FACP
- Professor Priyanga Ranasinghe MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCP, FNAASL (Secretary to the Editorial Board)
- Dr. Sumudu Suranadee MBBS, MD
- Professor Chathurie Suraweera MBBS, MD, MRCPsych
- Professor Chandanie Wanigatunge MBBS, MD, FCCP, FRCP
- Professor Chamari Weeraratne MBBS, MD, FCCP
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