Sri Lanka is facing a deepening medicine crisis as thousands of essential drugs remain outside government price controls, leaving patients struggling to afford life-saving treatments.
Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, revealed that of the nearly 7,500 medicines of various brands available in the country’s private pharmacies, only around 700 fall under price control regulations. The remaining 7,000 are sold at unregulated prices, forcing patients to pay exorbitant amounts and pushing many into financial distress.
A recent gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Health sought to regulate the prices of about 60 categories of medicines, covering roughly 700 drug brands. However, this leaves the majority of medicines freely priced in both private and government pharmacies, driving up the monthly cost for patients who depend on long-term treatments.
The Drug Regulatory Authority has emphasized the need to urgently establish agreements between pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies to stabilize prices. Dr. Sanjeewa stressed that authorities must also resolve ongoing legal disputes surrounding drug price regulation to protect public welfare.
Although a price formula has been introduced to manage drug costs, no firm policy has yet been finalized. This delay has worsened the situation, creating widespread shortages in private pharmacies across the island. Patients suffering from chronic illnesses, including cancer patients, are increasingly forced to seek private channels to import medicines from abroad.
Adding to the crisis, many leading pharmaceutical companies have halted operations and suspended supplies to Sri Lanka, intensifying the shortage and leaving thousands of patients without access to essential care.
Sri Lanka now stands at a critical crossroads, with public health experts warning that without immediate intervention, the unchecked price of medicine will continue to devastate lives and erode the healthcare system.
