Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa insists the country’s ongoing drug shortage is caused by procurement delays, not financial constraints, as fresh stocks are expected after November.
Sri Lanka’s persistent shortage of medicines has nothing to do with financial constraints but is the direct result of procurement delays, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said during a ceremony in Ampara.
He explained that procurement processes for essential drugs have already begun, and new consignments are scheduled to arrive after November. Until then, shortages in both private pharmacies and the public health system are expected to continue.
The Minister highlighted that the government has set strict guidelines for drug registration, including fixed price ranges based on South Asian market standards. Suppliers unwilling to comply with these limits are refusing to provide medicines, adding to the shortage.
To address the crisis, the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) has been tasked with calling tenders. Around 80 to 85 percent of the process is already complete, with incoming shipments expected to stabilize supplies in the coming months.
Dr. Jayatissa also spoke about stalled infrastructure projects, noting that delays have placed an enormous burden on the treasury. He revealed that 17 halted projects had cost the government Rs. 59 billion, whereas timely completion in 2018, 2020, or 2022 would have reduced the expense to just Rs. 29 billion.
