July 29, Colombo (LNW): Authorities from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health have given firm assurances that the country will face no disruption in the supply of essential medicines in the year 2026, following a period of concern over availability in recent times.
This commitment came during a recent meeting of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment, presided over by Member of Parliament Dr Nihal Abeysinghe.
The gathering brought together health officials and lawmakers to examine the current state of medical supplies and outline a forward-looking strategy to avoid future deficiencies.
Officials acknowledged that the recent shortage of pharmaceutical items was largely a result of administrative lags in placing procurement orders over previous years. They emphasised, however, that the Ministry has since taken proactive measures to avoid a recurrence.
The procurement cycle for 2026 has reportedly already been set in motion, with key tenders and supply agreements being processed well in advance.
Furthermore, the Ministry projects that by the close of the current year, between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of all essential medicines will be accessible across public health institutions.
This projection was outlined in an official communication issued by the Department of Communication of Parliament, reflecting a renewed sense of urgency and coordination within health sector planning.
The Committee also pressed officials on the current availability of high-priority medical items—those deemed critical for emergency and life-saving care. In response, Ministry representatives maintained that such items are presently in steady supply, and no interruptions are expected in the immediate term.
While health professionals and the general public have expressed concern in recent months over medicine shortages that strained hospital operations and patient care, the Ministry’s renewed approach signals a potential turning point.
Increased oversight, improved procurement protocols, and closer coordination with suppliers have been identified as key pillars in the effort to restore stability to the system.
Dr Abeysinghe, in his closing remarks at the meeting, noted the importance of maintaining transparency and consistency in supply chain management, calling on health authorities to ensure that promises made are diligently fulfilled in the months ahead.
He also highlighted the need for a monitoring mechanism to ensure that both rural and urban healthcare institutions receive equitable access to medicine supplies, particularly as stock levels improve.
