Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

State Minister vows to lower essential drug prices

20 August 2020 02:03 am - 6     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Pharmaceuticals Production, Supply and Regulation State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said he would put an end to the pharmaceutical mafia operated during the yahapalana regime in the guise of drug price reduction and he would bring down drug prices by increasing the local pharmaceutical production by 50%.

Minister Jayasumana charged that what had taken place actually by the so-called price reduction was that all high quality medicinal drugs were removed and the domestic pharmaceutical market was flooded with cheap and substandard drugs.

Addressing the media he said his target was to produce 50% of high quality drugs required by the country in the next three years and a new pharmaceuticals manufacturing factory would also be constructed to meet this goal.

“Medicinal drugs must have a price affordable to all. But supplying cheap and substandard drugs is not a solution to high drug prices. Our policy is that high quality drugs - imported or locally produced – should be within the reach of rich and poor patients. Therefore, I believe that while increasing the pharmaceutical production locally, the tender procedure, quality control and supplying of drugs to the state health establishments need to have a complete review and overhauling to prevent malpractices, frauds and waste of drugs,” Minister Jayasumana stressed.

Another key issue in the health sector was the Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) that had widely spread and affected thousands of families in the dry zone. The fight carried out against the use of chemical fertilizer had contributed to prohibit the importation of five highly poisonous chemicals used as fertilizer. The studies conducted in the last few years had been able to pin point the root caused for CKD. The proposed new pharmaceuticals manufacturing factory would give priority to produce essential drugs needed for CKD patients, he added. By Sandun A. Jayasekera


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 6

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • FF Thursday, 20 August 2020 09:11 AM

    DRUG IS A DIRTY WORD

    Jude Thursday, 20 August 2020 10:12 AM

    IMPORT generic pharmaceuticals from INDIA !! It's HIGH quality and CHEAP !!

    Ranja Thursday, 20 August 2020 10:59 AM

    the minister should learn economics about economies of scale.

    Roshanaly Thursday, 20 August 2020 10:49 AM

    Common word used by all the Health Ministers as soon as they resume duty.

    SAM Thursday, 20 August 2020 12:59 PM

    Not only drug prices I say. All prices.

    MN Friday, 21 August 2020 02:49 PM

    SPC charges 50mcg thyroxicine tablet Rs.5.75 for their brand,Is the price correct?


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H