Keheliya admits Govt.’s failure of drug price reduction

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella expressed his protest and disappointment over the high prices of medicinal drugs in the market despite the dollar depreciation against the rupee. 

 

 

He acknowledged that the government and the health ministry could not control drug prices due to adopting an open market economy. Importers, distributors, and pharmacists have yet to pass on the benefit of the rupee's appreciation to consumers, resulting in drug prices remaining at the same level as when the dollar was higher against the rupee.

 

 

Minister Rambukwella highlighted that the government-owned Osusala sells drugs at the lowest possible price, and consumers are free to take legal action against private pharmacies if they find excessively high prices compared to Osusala prices. He called on the media to play a role in exposing unfair fees charged by private pharmacies.

 

 

To address the issue, the Health Ministry has taken steps to reduce the price of 60 essential medicinal drugs manufactured by the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC). 

 

 

These prices are fixed by a formula introduced by the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA). The NMRA has decided to decrease the maximum retail price of these medicines by 16% from 15.06.2023, considering the appreciation of the rupee and the government's economic stabilization program. The cost of medications will be reviewed every three months.

 

 

Minister Rambukwella also expressed concern about malicious and fabricated reporting on health-related issues in the media, emphasizing the need for accurate and responsible journalism.