Minister of State for Drug Production, Supply, and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana has said that the prices of pharmaceutical products will be adjusted in line with the depreciation of the Sri Lankan Rupee.
At the same time, he added that the National Drug Regulatory Commission was taking necessary steps to prevent drug shortages in the country.
Meanwhile, the All Ceylon Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association said that major pharmaceutical companies and importers have stopped supplying drugs to pharmacies since yesterday.
The move comes as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka decides to devalue the rupee against the US dollar, union president Chandika Ganganda said.
He noted that pharmaceutical companies and importers had already stopped distributing to pharmacies from their holdings and that after selling the rupee, those drug dealers could not make a profit.
In addition, most pharmaceuticals and raw materials are imported on credit and therefore manufacturers or importers may incur huge losses when selling them in the local market at low prices.
In doing so, it has asked all pharmacy owners to explain the situation to their consumers and to provide existing medications sparingly.
