US $200Mn allocated for purchasing medicine

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health states that US $ 200 million has been allocated for the purchase of medicines in Sri Lanka under the Indian loan assistance.

Dr. Saman Ratnayake, Secretary to the State Ministry of Pharmaceutical Products Supply and Regulation stated that the relevant funds will be used to procure drugs for Government, private hospitals and pharmacies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has taken steps to provide financial facilities for the importation of raw materials required for the production of local medicines for State and private companies within Sri Lanka.

The Secretary to the State Ministry of Pharmaceutical Products Supply and Regulation stated that its aim is to revive the pharmaceutical production in the country which has been hampered due to the current dollar crisis.

Moreover, the Government Medical Officers' Association has stated that there is a shortage of drugs in private hospitals in addition to State Hospitals.