Chairman of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama has confirmed reports of a medicine previously sold for Rs. 76,000 now being recommended to be sold for Rs. 370. 

Speaking during a televised programme, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said a specialist doctor part of a committee appointed to review medicine prices had spotted the price discrepancy related to the medicine used for heart surgeries. 

Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama clarified that the medicine, a vaccine, was not used for cancer treatment, but was used during heart surgeries. 

“When we received a tender, we saw it had been quoted around Rs. 50,000 per vaccine. A specialist doctor of the NMRA’s reviewing committee found an unusual price difference due to which he had ordered the tender to be cancelled,” Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said. 

He went on to state that further investigations into the matter had found that the medicine had been priced at Rs. 76,000 in 2018, during which time the NMRA did not impose price controls. He said that only the prices quoted by the suppliers were considered. 

“As such, the importer has quoted Rs. 76,000 in 2018. However, that price must be revised now, as the supplier’s certificate must be renewed. We informed the importer that the price will be reviewed and the medicine will be properly priced,” he said.

Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said following the necessary inquiries the NMRA has proposed the medicine to be sold at Rs. 370, which is the actual price. (Newswire)

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Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

According to the Health Ministry, he replaces former NMRA Chairman Prof. S.D. Jayaratne.

In the recent past, the NMRA under the leadership of Prof. S.D. Jayaratne has faced several allegations with regard to the influx of inferior-quality medicines. 

In September this year, Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama accused the NMRA Director Board of having ignored recommendations made by the specialists’ consultant committee and having authorised the import of unauthorised medicines at the request of the Health Ministry.

At the time, Dr. Wijewickrama said that the Specialist Consultant Committee refused to grant approval to procure certain types of medicine, but the NMRA Director Board surpassed the recommendations of the committee and provided approval to procure some unregistered medication. (NewsWire)

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