The Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to introduce a new approach for obtaining essential medicines, aimed at strengthening uninterrupted and efficient supply to the public.

Under the partnership, medicines that are difficult to procure through Sri Lanka’s national procurement system will be accessed via international mechanisms. Officials noted this will be particularly important for drugs with limited market access, few global suppliers, or small‑scale production.

The MoU was signed at the Ministry of Finance under the leadership of Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, with Secretary Anil Jasinghe, UNDP Resident Representative Azusa Kubota, and Finance Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma also placing their signatures.

The programme is expected to strengthen procurement and supply chain management, while enhancing the resilience and efficiency of Sri Lanka’s health service delivery system. Medicines will be sourced through UNDP’s global procurement networks of pre‑qualified suppliers, subject to quality assurance processes and oversight by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

Officials said large‑scale global purchasing will enable competitive pricing and more efficient access to medicines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

UNDP has decades of experience supporting governments worldwide in sustainable procurement, supply chain management, digital innovation, and institutional capacity building. The partnership is expected to ensure Sri Lankans receive quality health services and essential medicines more efficiently and at fair prices, strengthening the country’s free healthcare system. (Newswire)

The post Sri Lanka to access difficult‑to‑procure drugs via UNDP appeared first on Newswire.

A stock of medicines valued at approximately Rs. 48.3 million, illegally brought into the country by sea without customs clearance or quality inspection, has been seized by the Negombo Divisional Crime Investigation Unit.

Four suspects were arrested during a raid near Pitipana Lellama in the Dungalpitiya Police Division while transporting the consignment in a lorry. 

According to the Police, the medicines and vehicle were taken into custody.

Investigations revealed that the consignment had been smuggled aboard two vessels, with the skippers of both boats also arrested and handed over to the Dungalpitiya Police Station.

Police said the suspects, aged between 31 and 49, are residents of Negombo and Maskeliya. Further investigations are underway. (Newswire)

The post Rs. 48.3 Mn worth of illegally imported medicines seized in Negombo appeared first on Newswire.

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) plans to revise the maximum retail prices (MRP) of 60 essential medicines after considering the appreciation of the US Dollar, NMRA Chairman Specialist Dr Ananda Wijewickrama said.

Dr Wijewickrama said the decision was prompted by the increase in the value of the US Dollar in the local market, which has affected the cost of importing medicines.

He noted that the revision could result in price increases for some medicines included under the controlled pricing mechanism.

Accordingly, the gazette issued in 2023 setting maximum retail prices for 60 essential medicines is expected to be amended.

Meanwhile, he said the NMRA is continuing inspections and raids targeting pharmacies that sell medicines above the approved maximum retail prices. (Newswire)

The post US Dollar surge : NMRA to amend MRP of 60 essential drugs appeared first on Newswire.

A severe shortage of medical supplies has been reported in several hospitals in Sri Lanka due to the lack of a solution for the increasing shortage of medicines, the All Ceylon Medical Professionals Association said in a statement.

The Association revealed that there were only limited stocks of medicines in the medical storages of the Health Ministry and in Provincial areas.

Health trade unions and medical associations have continuously pointed out in the recent past, the shortage of medicines and medical equipment in state hospitals. 

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has revealed that even though there are 1300 essential medicines, there was a shortage of 140-150 out of them.

The GMOA further states that there is a shortage of Insulin for diabetic patients, Asprin for heart patients, metformin, syrup for children, anaesthesia, and cancer and kidney medications at present. 

“Stocks of several essential medicines have finished by the end of January. The government has not taken measures to replace the finished medicines. Several hospitals are also facing a shortage of medical equipment such as syringes, catheters, cannulas, etc. Several surgeries have been suspended due to a lack of medicines and medical supplies. Even though the government claims to have allocated money to resolve the shortages, it is yet to be addressed,” the medical professionals stated.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella announced yesterday (12) that the government has decided to temporarily postpone surgeries that could be postponed at present. (NewsWire)  

The post GMOA reveals list of medicines not available appeared first on Newswire.