As Sri Lanka faces a worsening shortage of essential medicines, the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) has urged the Ministry of Health to take immediate action, warning that the government’s current strategy may not adequately address the urgency of the situation.
The Chamber voiced concern over the Ministry’s decision to rely on Government-to-Government (G2G) procurement to address the shortage, cautioning that such arrangements are often hindered by procedural and diplomatic delays that could extend delivery timelines by up to three months.
The Chamber acknowledged the Ministry’s recent efforts to engage with local pharmaceutical manufacturers and other stakeholders but stressed that G2G procurement alone cannot address the immediate gaps in supply.
The SLCPI urged the government to immediately activate local procurement mechanisms, pointing out that pharmaceutical suppliers registered with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) are fully compliant and capable of delivering essential medicines within two weeks.
The SLCPI also noted that swift issuance of indents and Letters of Credit (LCs) by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) could unlock access to urgently needed stocks and prevent further deterioration of the situation.
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