Sri Lanka is currently facing a severe shortage of essential medicines, including cancer drugs, insulin, and oral rehydration salts like Jeevani, creating a dire situation for patients across the country.
According to health professionals and patients, the scarcity spans a broad range of medications used to treat conditions such as cancer, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, and infections, impacting both public hospitals and private pharmacies.
Among the most critically affected drugs are:
- Insulin 10ml, which has been unavailable for over four months
- Filgrastim injection (approx. Rs. 8,000)
- Cisplatin injection (approx. Rs. 5,000)
- Diltiazem 30mg/60mg, Phenobarbitone 30mg, Chlorpromazine 50mg, and Imipramine 25mg
- Atropine eye drops, Sodium Valproate syrup, Oxybutynin 2.5mg
- Oseltamivir (all dosages)
- Jeevani (ORS)
The shortage of cancer drugs is especially alarming, with patients reportedly struggling to begin or continue critical treatment. Many are being forced to seek medications in the private sector, where prices are often unaffordable.
A Daily Mirror survey of pharmacies in Colombo confirmed the widespread unavailability of several essential medicines, including Jeevani and key cancer-related injections.
An official source noted that many of these drugs are missing from state-run pharmacies as well, pushing patients into desperate searches across the private market — often in vain.
Attempts to reach Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe for a statement were unsuccessful.
However, Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni denied there was a shortage of commonly used medications, such as those for hypertension and diabetes, in government hospitals. He did admit that certain drugs have been affected by ongoing supply chain issues that “have existed for several years.”
Despite reassurances, the situation continues to leave thousands of Sri Lankans in uncertainty, especially those dependent on life-saving medications.
