Three major pharmaceutical associations in Sri Lanka have urged Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to immediately halt the proposed government-to-government (G2G) pharmaceutical import initiative, citing concerns that it could compromise patient safety, harm local manufacturing, and foster corruption.
In a letter, the Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI), the National Chamber of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Sri Lanka (NCPMSL), and the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA) expressed their strong opposition to the plan to import medicines directly from foreign governments.
The associations argued that the alleged medicine shortages used to justify the initiative were artificially created by delayed procurement, blocked registrations, and a disregard for stock availability by officials with “vested interests.”
They further emphasized that local manufacturers and importers could meet the demand if supported with fair pricing and timely procurement.
Additionally, the letter warned that bypassing competitive tender processes could breach IMF guidelines and potentially lead to widespread corruption.
The joint appeal called for an immediate stop to the G2G imports, an investigation into potential manipulation by officials, expedited registration processes, and an open dialogue with stakeholders to ensure a sustainable medicine supply.
