Gabix: The Prescription I Still Can’t Fill

Sri Lanka has a long-standing habit of turning to two overly simplistic responses when faced with complex problems. The first is the impulse to throw the baby out with the bathwater, a habit that leads to discarding entire systems or practices instead of removing only the harmful parts. This reflex wipes out what works along with what does not, leaving ordinary people to cope with avoidable consequences. The second response sits at the opposite extreme: Keep the Baby, Keep the Bathwater, Embrace the Mess! This mindset clings to everything, including what is clearly harmful, simply to avoid disruption or uncomfortable decisions. That approach creates confusion, inconsistency, and a culture where accountability becomes optional. A recent Daily Mirror report noting that Sri Lanka is exploring the decriminalization of drug addiction illustrates this imbalance. It reflects how policy continues to swing between extremes instead of settling on clear, balanced, and carefully structured regulations that protect the public without causing unnecessary chaos.

I experienced this imbalance firsthand earlier this week when I attempted to refill my mother’s prescription for Gabix, a medication she relies on for severe nerve pain. Gabix had been widely available until recently, yet the National Medicines Regulatory Authority suddenly classified Gabapentin as a narcotic drug, placing strict limits on its distribution. My search for a refill turned into an exhausting journey from one pharmacy to another, each stop bringing a new form of refusal despite my valid prescription. Some pharmacies tried to offer Gaba, an alternative that has no effect on my mother, while others refused to even examine the prescription I presented. This abrupt shift from easy access to near total scarcity revealed how quickly essential medication becomes unreachable when authorities impose sweeping restrictions without thoughtful safeguards. Sharing this experience highlights both the personal frustration and the wider consequences of extreme regulatory decisions that affect ordinary patients.

No Alternative for Gabix

Gabix is a medication prescribed for my mother by her physician, Dr. Rangana Gunasekara (VP), to treat nerve pain in her legs. Until October of this year, it was readily available at local pharmacies. In September, when I tried to purchase it from a neighborhood pharmacy, I was told it was out of stock. The pharmacist recommended an alternative called Gaba, explaining that it contained the same active ingredient but under a different brand name. Trusting his advice, we tried Gaba, but it did not relieve my mother’s pain. A few days later, I was able to obtain Gabix, and her symptoms improved. This experience highlighted that, despite having the same active ingredient, Gaba was ineffective in her case. It became clear that Gabix, as prescribed, does not have a reliable alternative for her condition, underscoring the importance of this specific brand for effective treatment.

At Cargills Pharmacy

On Tuesday, I went to the Cargills Pharmacy in Nuwara Eliya to refill my mother’s prescription for Gabix. When I arrived, the pharmacist informed me that the drug was not available and sent his assistant to Mackie Medicals, located just across the street, to check for stock. The assistant returned empty-handed. According to staff at Cargills Food City, it appeared that the person at Mackie Medicals did not want to sell to Cargills Pharmacy, possibly due to competitive reasons. During this interaction, the pharmacist mentioned in passing that Gabix is now classified as a narcotic drug. At that moment, I did not pay much attention to this detail, assuming it was routine or a minor regulatory change. However, this seemingly small remark would soon become significant, as it helped explain the increasing difficulty in obtaining Gabix and foreshadowed the challenges I would face in ensuring my mother received her prescribed medication.

At Selva’s and Makie’s

Today, I went to Selva’s Pharmacy and presented my mother’s prescription for Gabix. I was told the medication was unavailable, but the pharmacist suggested an alternative brand, which I purchased. I later remembered that I had already tried Gaba before, and it had proven ineffective for my mother’s condition. Realizing this, I had to return it. Determined to obtain the correct medication, I then went to Mackie’s Pharmacy. Even though I showed a picture of the prescription, the staff refused to sell Gabix and did not even check the prescription, leaving me frustrated and surprised. With my mother still in need of relief, I next went to Nuwara Eliya Medicals, hoping this time to finally secure the medication she required. This series of obstacles made it clear how challenging it has become to access Gabix locally, despite having a valid prescription, highlighting the frustration patients face in obtaining necessary treatment.

At Nuwara Eliya Medicals

The staff at Nuwara Eliya Medicals were much more helpful. They carefully checked the prescription on my phone and graciously sold me a single card of Gabix. They mentioned that the official price for a card is around 195–200 rupees. However, they explained that drug addicts often pay up to 900 rupees per card on the black market, which is part of the reason Gabix is regulated so strictly. Since Dr. Rangana channels prescriptions through Medisi Pharmacy, the staff further advised me to visit Medisi Pharmacy with the original prescription, rather than just a picture. Following this advice, they assured me that I would be able to purchase the full dosage for my mother’s treatment. Their guidance made the process much clearer and less frustrating, highlighting both the challenges of obtaining Gabix under current regulations and the importance of having the correct documentation to ensure patients receive the medication they need.

At Medisi Pharmacy

Before visiting Medisi Pharmacy again, I called to confirm whether Gabix 100mg was available. They assured me that Gabix could be obtained since my mother’s prescriptions are handled through Dr. Rangana via their pharmacy. They also emphasized the need to bring the original prescription rather than a copy or photograph. I arrived with the original prescription, expecting to collect the correct dosage. The staff verified it and informed me that only Gabix 300 mg was in stock, not the 100 mg tablet my mother actually needed. The situation left me unable to secure the proper medication despite following every required step and relying on the information I had been given. This experience highlighted the challenges patients face when regulated medications are unavailable, even when they hold a legitimate prescription and follow the proper channels.

Wrap Up

Gabix (Made in Pakistan with U.S. authorization), prescribed to my mother for nerve pain, has suddenly become extremely difficult to obtain in Sri Lanka. Although Gaba (Manufactured in India), another gabapentin brand with the same active ingredient, is still freely available, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has classified only Gabix as a narcotic, creating unnecessary barriers for patients who genuinely depend on it. When I attempted to refill the prescription, the entire process turned into a frustrating struggle. Selva’s Pharmacy sold me Gaba, which we already knew was ineffective for my mother. Mackie’s refused to sell Gabix altogether, even after I showed them a photo of the prescription. Nuwara Eliya Medicals agreed to sell just one card, explaining that fear of black-market abuse limits how much they can release. Medisi Pharmacy said Gabix was available, yet when I visited with the original prescription, they had only the 300 mg tablet, not the required 100 mg. My only option now is to ask Dr. Rangana for an alternative.

The inconsistency between Gabix and Gaba raises two troubling possibilities: either the NMRA’s new rules were poorly designed and overly restrictive, or they have unintentionally created space for unethical market behavior that benefits certain suppliers. Although the regulation of Gabix was reportedly gazette as far back as 2022, enforcement appears to have begun only now, which adds another layer of confusion and raises questions about timing, communication, and transparency. In either scenario, the sudden implementation of strict controls on one brand while leaving an identical alternative untouched has made life unnecessarily difficult for patients who rely on effective medication. This approach effectively throws the baby out with the bath water instead of developing a balanced, transparent, and carefully targeted policy that curbs abuse without harming legitimate patients. By failing to distinguish thoughtfully between brands, the NMRA has burdened ordinary people while offering no clear explanation for the inconsistency.

P:S. Looking back, the pharmacists seemed reluctant to respond when I mentioned Gabix’s narcotic classification. Even a doctor I consulted gave no explanation. On my second visit to Nuwara Eliya Medicals, they required me to purchase the full prescription, and Mackie’s followed the same policy. The situation suggests that financial considerations may be taking priority over patient care.

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