Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Ministry of Health to immediately submit a document on the essential drugs in Sri Lanka and the drugs that are in short supply.
A discussion was held at the Prime Minister’s Office today (25) under the patronage of the Premier to discuss short and medium-term solutions to the current drug crisis owing to the prevalent economic crisis.
In addition, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed that discussions were held between the governments of Sri Lanka and India, while a decision was reached to pay back the Indian loan facility for the purchase of USD 200 million worth of medicines, in Sri Lankan rupees due to the lack of dollars.
Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella said a stock of medicines and anaesthetics will be provided by the French government tomorrow, which will suffice for 90-days in all emergency operating theatres.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority is engaged in the prompt purchasing of drugs.
Furthermore, an independent committee headed by the Health Minister has been appointed to amend the Drug Regulatory Authority Act.
In addition, it was revealed that a shortage of 76 essential medicines is prevalent at present while the government is yet to pay local pharmaceutical suppliers Rs.33 billion in arrears.
