It has been recently revealed that delays in document processing delays at the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) and at the Price Regulation Committee of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) have also contributed to the prevailing drug shortage.
During a drug review meeting at the Ministry of Health on April 10, it was revealed that delays in processing procurement files at the SPC and delays of files at the NMRA’s Price Regulation Committee have resulted in this.
During the meeting which was chaired by Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, it was also revealed that 190 types of medicines are currently in shortage across hospitals islandwide.
Medical Supplies Division officials have warned that the situation may worsen after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
Officials noted that while locally manufactured medicines can be obtained quickly, the necessary files are currently delayed at the Price Regulation Committee of the NMRA.
It was also revealed that around 200 completed procurement files at the SPC are delayed, with only 90 released to suppliers for medicine imports.
Also, a process to set up a state-level system for medicine procurement was also discussed.
