Increases drug prices

Representatives of the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) today met with the State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals and officials of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) for a discussion regarding the import of pharmaceutical drugs.

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is taking necessary measures in this regard, he further said. The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) recently commended the Ministry of Health’s decision to increase the control price of Paracetamol.

At the same time, the SLCPI also requested policymakers to adjust the price of other essential medicines currently under price control, to ensure continued availability of these drugs in the market. In this context, the SLCPI had said it anticipates an urgent upward price adjustment of 18% on all Price Controlled products as per a written request made to the Chairman of the pricing committee of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority on 1st September 2021.

Highlighting patient needs and well-being as the industry’s most critical priority, the Chamber had requested authorities to consider designing and implementing a pricing mechanism that would periodically review market prices, import costs and other relevant access issues to prevent medicine shortages.