Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today instructed the Ministry of Health to immediately submit a document on the essential drugs in Sri Lanka and the medicines which are in short supply.
The Prime Minister’s Office said it was revealed that there is a shortage of 76 essential medicines at present.
It was further revealed that local pharmaceutical suppliers have to pay Rs. 33 billion in arrears.
Thereby, the PM instructed the Health Ministry to provide an update on essential drugs and those which are in short supply in Sri Lanka.
This was stated at a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office today (25) under the patronage of the Prime Minister to discuss short-term and medium-term solutions to the current drug crisis due to the current economic crisis.
In addition, PM Wickremesinghe said that the Governments of Sri Lanka and India had agreed to pay back the loan in Sri Lankan Rupees after discussions due to the lack of dollars for the purchase of US $ 200 million worth of medicines received by Sri Lanka under the Indian loan facility.
During the discussion, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella said that due to the stock of medicines and anesthetics to be provided by the French Government tomorrow, it will be possible to maintain a continuous 90-day operation in all emergency operating theatres in the country.
Meanwhile, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is making prompt purchases of drugs.
An Independent Committee headed by Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella has been appointed to amend the Medicines Regulatory Authority Act. (NewsWire)
