A severe shortage of qualified pharmacists is pushing many private pharmacies across Sri Lanka to the brink of closure, All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (AIPPOA) President Chandika Gankanda has warned.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Gankanda drew attention to a critical gap in the workforce: while the country requires approximately 12,000 pharmacists to adequately staff all operating pharmacies, only about 6,300 pharmacists have recently applied for re-registration with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
“This significant shortfall is making it increasingly difficult for pharmacies to meet the legal obligation of having a full-time pharmacist present at all times,” he said.
Gankanda also criticised some NMRA pharmacy regulatory officials for contacting pharmacy owners late at night via WhatsApp, causing them undue distress.
He warned that if the shortage persists and enforcement continues rigidly, numerous pharmacies may be forced to shut down, threatening public access to essential medicines and healthcare services nationwide.
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