Keheliya wants committee to prepare drug-list for price reduction: GMOA

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella had instructed the Ministry to appoint a committee to prepare a list of drugs to consider a price reduction, GMOA Spokesman Dr Chamil Wijesinghe said today.

He told the Daily Mirror that the Minister had given the instructions during a discussion held with the GMOA.

Earlier, the Government allowed an increase in the price of medicines by 100 to 80 per cent on two occasions, following the Health Ministry's advice. 

“There are about 1,300 medicine brands used in the country, but only 100 medicines come under price control. The prices of the remaining medicines have gone up by 600%, which is not affordable," he said.

Dr Wijesinghe said the GMOA had introduced a mechanism to reduce the prices. 

“This was conveyed to the President during a discussion held in September. Following the advice of specialists, the GMOA requested that the Health Ministry identify the drugs that are most commonly used in the country for a downward revision of prices,” he said. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)