2026-02-19 / Oral Question: State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation Drug Varieties (Q. 3/2026)
Hon. Rohana Bandara
2026-02-19
Hon. Rohana Bandara raised concerns about two related issues affecting Sri Lanka's pharmaceutical sector: persistent drug shortages in public hospitals, illustrated by a personal account of a heart attack patient being forced to purchase medicines from a private pharmacy, and the circulation of unregistered medicines in the market. He noted that MP Mujibur Rahuman had formally lodged complaints with the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the sale of NMRA-unregistered drugs. Bandara directed a question to the Minister demanding to know what concrete steps are being taken to address both drug availability in hospitals and the quality control of medicines in circulation.
Hon. Minister, if there have been no below-cost sales, that is acceptable. However, there have been persistent reports about drug shortages in hospitals and about unregistered medicines in the market. Recently, a relative of mine admitted with a heart attack had to purchase medicines from a private pharmacy due to hospital shortages. Further, MP Mujibur Rahuman has lodged complaints with the NMRA and the CID regarding the sale of drugs not registered with the NMRA. What action is being taken, including to ensure quality and availability?