May 25, Colombo (LNW): The country’s ongoing pharmaceutical shortages are being attributed to a series of delayed procurement decisions made last year, a situation the health authorities now admit has had far-reaching consequences.
Speaking at a public engagement in Colombo, Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa shed light on the complexities behind the shortfall of vital medicines and outlined the remedial steps currently being undertaken.
The problem stems from a significant lapse in planning and execution during 2024, according to the Minister. Despite Sri Lanka’s annual dependence on the importation of hundreds of essential drugs, tender procedures were initiated for only 67 types of medicines in the first half of that year.
This delay has reverberated through the public health system, contributing to a worrying decline in drug availability across hospitals and clinics.
By contrast, he noted that the first five months of 2025 have seen a marked acceleration in procurement efforts. Tender processes have now been initiated for 233 medicinal products, many of which had been long overlooked or delayed in previous cycles.
The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), responsible for overseeing drug supply to the public sector, has already finalised procurement for these, indicating a more proactive approach going forward.
Dr Jayatissa provided further insight into the scale of the task, revealing that approximately 65 per cent of medicines used in state-run hospitals are sourced from abroad. He stressed the intricate nature of pharmaceutical logistics, explaining that from planning to delivery, the entire cycle can span nearly nine months due to the need for tendering, quality assurance, and regulatory checks.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Health Minister outlined an ambitious procurement plan. Of the 450 varieties of medicines earmarked for that year, procedures for 435 have already commenced. Procurement has been completed for 418, with 325 currently under final evaluation, signalling significant progress in planning.
In a move to bolster local involvement, the Ministry has engaged in direct consultations with domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers. These discussions included setting clear production and supply targets, with deadlines to ensure accountability.
Companies unable to meet these demands may see the state exploring bilateral arrangements with foreign governments to maintain uninterrupted supply.
Minister Jayatissa acknowledged the public’s frustration with recent shortages but emphasised that the measures now in place represent the most viable strategy for long-term stabilisation of drug availability.
He reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that citizens have reliable access to safe, high-quality medicines, and called for continued cooperation from all stakeholders in the sector.
