Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Chairman of the National Drug Regulatory Authority, announced that Sri Lanka plans to increase its procurement of medicines from local suppliers, aiming to meet nearly 50% of the country’s pharmaceutical needs within the next year. Currently, around 200 types of medicines are sourced locally, with plans to raise this number to over 300 by next year.
The initiative comes as the country seeks to reduce its dependency on foreign imports and ensure a more stable supply of essential medicines. To support this shift, laboratory facilities are being upgraded to test the quality of imported medicines and ensure they meet stringent standards.
Dr. Wijewickrama also addressed the ongoing shortage of drugs, noting that the situation is gradually improving. He emphasized that alongside increasing the local supply, there is a dedicated program underway to ensure high-quality medicines are made available in Sri Lanka. The move is expected to strengthen the healthcare system and enhance the availability of essential healthcare products for the population.
