Medicine prices may surge amid forex, fuel and Middle East crisis: Dr. Sanjeewa

Colombo, March 25 (Daily Mirror) - A sharp increase in medicine prices in the local market could be inevitable due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, foreign exchange shortages, fuel price hikes, and the rising cost of goods and services, the Federation of Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Trade Unions Chairman amd Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, claimed.

Speaking on the current situation, Dr. Sanjeewa said there is a serious risk that the prices of medicines may increase significantly in the near future, as drug importers and local manufacturers have already begun paying attention to revising prices in line with rising costs.

He warned that any increase in medicine prices under the present economic conditions would place an unbearable burden on the general public, especially at a time when the cost of living continues to rise.

Dr. Sanjeewa pointed out that the prices of many essential medicines are already high in the market, and a further increase could severely affect patients who rely on long-term treatment for illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, mental illness, and childhood-related conditions.

He further alleged that although the government has issued gazettes to control medicine prices, it has become common for certain pharmacies to sell medicines at prices higher than the regulated rates, raising serious concerns about enforcement.

He urged the government to intervene immediately to control the situation and introduce a subsidy or relief mechanism for low-income families when purchasing medicines from private pharmacies, warning that failure to act could lead to a serious public health crisis.