Update – Pharmacies in high risk & lockdown areas will not open

April 10, 2020 at 4:22 PM

Following decisions have been taken by the Covid 19 task force chaired by Mr Basil Rajapaksa in consultation with officials of the Ministry of Health, National Medicines Regulatory Authority, SLCPI, All Island Pharmacy Owners Association & Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Traders Society

  • All pharmacies in the country (Apart from pharmacies in High Risk districts)  shall be requested to be open from tomorrow 10th April 2020 onwards from 9 am to 2 pm for the convenience of the public. This includes times when curfew is in operation.
  • The public, therefore, need not panic and queue outside pharmacies unnecessarily. They should buy their medicines from the nearest pharmacy to their residence.
  • The public is requested not to stock up medicines unnecessarily. Doing so under sub-optimal storage conditions at home may result in loss of efficacy of medicines.
  • When visiting pharmacies public is requested to maintain strict hygienic practices (wear a face mask, wash/sanitize hands) and ensure social distancing.
  • Online services using electronic platforms (WhatsApp, Viber) to provide door to door delivery of medicines by pharmacies providing this service will continue.
  • In addition, mobile pharmacy services to supply commonly used medicines to households will be provided in the following districts :Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticoloa, Hambantota, Moneragala, Nuwara Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura & Vavuniya
  • NMRA has issued strict operational guidelines to all pharmacies in the country, which will be monitored by the Authority. More information on these guidelines can be found on our website <nmra.gov.lk>

Guidlines for Pharmacies