Health Minister blames opposition for fuelling fear over medicine shortages

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa acknowledged potential fluctuations in the supply of certain medicines but accused the opposition of exaggerating the issue.

He made the remarks during the weekly Cabinet media briefing in response to questions about a possible shortage of essential medicines.

“We’re working to reduce this over the next few months. But the numbers quoted by the Opposition Leader in front of the media do not reflect the actual stock levels in hospitals,” Jayatissa said.

He added that even in the event that suppliers do not bid for tenders and instead release medicines to the market, the government has allocated Rs. 35 billion for procurement.

Commenting on allegations by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Jayatissa said medicine procurement cannot be compared to purchasing consumer goods such as salt or rice.

“There is no manufacturer producing medicines solely for Sri Lanka. A significant portion of our supplies are made to order. Production takes about three to four months, and the entire process can take up to nine months,” he explained.
He attributed the current challenges to the failure of the previous administration to place tenders in a timely manner.

“Within the first five months, we have closed 268 tenders. Some of those drugs are now being manufactured, and others are expected to arrive by November. There are also pending orders placed in 2022 and 2023,” the Minister said, noting that the government is working to resolve ongoing procurement and supply issues.

Jayatissa further accused Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa of attempting to stir unrest among the public and within the healthcare system.

“Sajith Premadasa knows this—he was once a Deputy Health Minister. Claiming there is a shortage without offering a solution only benefits companies aiming to hike medicine prices,” he said. (Newswire)

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The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns about recent developments in the healthcare sector, particularly regarding the quality of pharmaceutical products procured for the public healthcare system.  

In a statement, the Ceylon Chamber pointed out, while the shortage of essential medicines has stemmed from the economic crisis, it persists due to the lack of a robust and transparent procurement system.

“We recommend that swift action be taken to ensure and enhance the public procurement of medicines in a transparent manner which requires registration with the regulator following approved and established guidelines,” it said. 

The Ceylon Chamber added that along with its affiliated associations and professional bodies, it stands ready to support the policymakers in improving and uplifting the current state of the healthcare system.

Full statement: 

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce is concerned about recent developments in the healthcare sector, particularly regarding the quality of pharmaceutical products procured for the public healthcare system.  While the shortage of essential medicines has stemmed from the economic crisis, it persists due to the lack of a robust and transparent procurement system.

We recommend that swift action be taken to ensure and enhance the public procurement of medicines in a transparent manner which requires registration with the regulator following approved and established guidelines. The National Medicines Regulatory Authority must play a much stronger, transparent, and independent role in ensuring that high-quality medicines are procured, including essential medicines that are procured through an emergency process.

Further, the pricing of medicines should adopt a market pricing formula developed by relevant experts similar to that adopted for other commodities such as fuel and gas that were previously subject to price controls. A pricing formula will ensure sustainability in the quality of medicines procured.

We recognise the recent directive of the President to streamline the procurement system. The Ceylon Chamber along with its affiliated associations and professional bodies such as the Sri Lanka Medical Association stand ready to support the policymakers in improving and uplifting the current state of the healthcare system that will benefit the people of the country. (NewsWire)

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Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella today revealed he would step down from his portfolio if his ministry is unable to resolve the financial issues pertaining to the procurement of essential medicines. 

Speaking in Parliament, Minister Rambukwella stated that there were two key factors for the shortage of medicines in Sri Lanka at present.

“Firstly, there is an issue with receiving the necessary funding for the purchase of medicines. A meeting is scheduled with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the issue,” he said.

The Health Minister said secondly, certain court decisions are affecting the medicine procurement processes of the Ministry.

“We made a decision to amend the procurement process of medicines and also obtained Cabinet approval. However, a case has been filed at the Supreme Court seeking an order to suspend the purchasing of medicines through this process and the case is being heard. Such moves delay the Ministry’s actions to resolve issues,” he added.

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella further stated that in the event, the Ministry is unable to acquire the necessary funds to resolve the issue of the medicine shortage, he does not intend to remain as the subject minister.

The Minister made the remarks in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa. (NewsWire)

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