Minister calls for domestic medicine production to curtail USD 500 Mn imports

15 February 2024 06:34 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, Feb 15 (Daily Mirror) - In a bid to address the substantial financial outlay of over USD 500 million spent annually on importing medicines, Minister of Health and Industry, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, underscored the need for domestic production.

He said this during a special discussion held with key officials from the Medical Supplies Division, the State Pharmaceutical Corporation and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority.

The discussion, chaired by Dr. Pathirana, delved into critical issues surrounding the regulation, supply and distribution of medicines. Emphasis was placed on the need to streamline tender procedures, ensre the continuous provision of high-quality drugs to hospitals, and optimizing the drug import system.

Dr. Pathirana highlighted the necessity of bolstering the domestic production of medicines as the most viable solution to mitigate the hefty import expenditure.

Furthermore, the Minister stressed on the importance of conducting an annual preliminary study to forecast medicine requirements for the forthcoming year, underlining proactive measures to enhance the nation's pharmaceutical self-sufficiency.

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Comments - 13

Spartacus Thursday, 15 February 2024 06:49 PM

There are only two products that will be successful in SL. One is alcohol, because most of this population are utter drunkards. The other is medicine, because we are f

Mohan Thursday, 15 February 2024 07:11 PM

We can try to produce some of the expensive medicines that can be easily produced locally. Eg. Streptokinase, recombinant vaccines, etc.

mohamed zainudeen Thursday, 15 February 2024 08:33 PM

Your predecessor has already set up an immunoglobulin production facility saving millions of dollars!

Sanath Thursday, 15 February 2024 08:43 PM

You mean like the locally produced immunoglobulin injections ?

M Fernando Thursday, 15 February 2024 08:53 PM

I nominate Former Minister Rambukwelle to head-up this initiative. He will do a fantastic job.

Amaran Friday, 16 February 2024 12:08 AM

Very Good strativ move. Please start local production. Even Bangladesh has already done this. Why cannot we?

Erandani Dias Friday, 16 February 2024 01:34 AM

Finally, someone has realized that importing everything is not the long term solution!

Sandun Friday, 16 February 2024 03:10 AM

This is what Rajitha started. Fir the successful results producers need to get assurance from government for long term contracts as did by Bangladesh.

Be flexible Friday, 16 February 2024 09:09 AM

More emphasis should be taken to produce locally consumed products. There is land

Tissa Fernando Friday, 16 February 2024 09:15 AM

Good proposal, you must invite global drug companies to open factories here and expand what is already there.

Sokrates Friday, 16 February 2024 09:44 AM

Which politician will set up such a factory and produce medicines in Sri Lanka?

AJ Friday, 16 February 2024 10:38 AM

Seems former health ministers was not much keen on manufacturing medicines locally, most probably due to, they too tasted hefty commissions of importers

A Medicine Man Friday, 16 February 2024 01:43 PM

This is a very good idea. Put Keheliya Rambukwella in charge of domestic medicine production. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana is one of the 3 MPs and also doctors ( the others were Dr. Mrs. Fernandopulle and Dr. Mrs Seetha Arambepola) who voted to keep Keheliya as Minister of Health.

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Minister calls for domestic medicine production to curtail USD 500 Mn imports

Comments - 13

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