Hospitals across Sri Lanka are experiencing a critical shortage of 190 essential medicines, raising alarm among healthcare professionals.
The growing crisis was brought to light during a recent drug review meeting held at the Ministry of Health, chaired by Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena.
According to officials present at the meeting last Thursday, bureaucratic delays within key government institutions have significantly hampered the availability of life-saving medications.
Finalized procurement files remain stalled at the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), while letters awaiting clearance from the Price Regulation Committee under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) have caused further bottlenecks.
The Medical Supplies Division warned that without swift intervention, the situation is likely to worsen in the aftermath of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, when logistical slowdowns are expected.
They emphasized that although locally manufactured pharmaceuticals could temporarily ease the strain, delays in the approval process are obstructing even these alternatives.
It was also revealed that nearly 200 completed procurement files are currently languishing within the SPC, with only 90 having received the necessary approvals for suppliers to proceed with importing the required medicines.
Officials also stressed the urgent need for administrative streamlining to prevent the crisis from deepening.
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