• Docs’ group warns of closure due to lack of accredited pharmacists 
• NMRA backs local pharma production with 26 cos. manufacturing meds.

Nearly 2,500 private pharmacies in Sri Lanka have failed to complete the registration process so far, and therefore, the law will have to be implemented against them, which could lead to their closure in the future, claimed the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Act, it is a punishable offence to operate a pharmacy without an accredited pharmacist. Out of nearly 5,000 pharmacies across the country, he claimed, only around 2,500 currently employ such a pharmacist. He added that pharmacies operating without accredited pharmacists are at risk of being shut down, as many owners either failed to submit applications for this year’s registration due to the shortage of qualified staff, or had their applications rejected.

“This situation is also the result of the Ministry of Health failing to properly regulate the operation of private pharmacies over the years, and not implementing a programme to appoint accredited pharmacists or Government-trained pharmacists. If a short-term and long-term programme is not prepared to address this, the closure of these pharmacies will limit access to medicines for people in rural areas. At the same time, nearly 10,000 people who depend on these pharmacies for their livelihoods will lose their jobs,” Dr. Sanjeewa added.

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and the Secretary to the Health Ministry, Dr. Anil Jasinghe were not available for comment.

The pharmacy sector in Sri Lanka plays a central role in the healthcare system. Private pharmacies are spread across both urban and rural areas, providing prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs. In addition to private outlets, pharmacies are also operated by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and in Government and private hospitals.

Meanwhile, the NMRA stated that it always encourages the local production of pharmaceutical drugs, with 26 local companies currently engaged in manufacturing.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, NMRA Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said: “We give priority to the relevant registration activities of local pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. We encourage it. Currently, there are about 26 local companies producing medicines.”

The NMRA, which oversees the manufacturing, importation, distribution, and sale of medicines, is tasked with ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality of pharmaceutical drugs available in the country.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wijemuni told the Parliament recently that a priority system has been introduced to fast-track registration requests from local manufacturers. He noted that the registration process usually takes about 300 days, which is the international standard, but that steps are now being taken to reduce this timeframe. According to him, by June of this year, around 2,400 files related to local drug manufacturer registration were pending at the NMRA. That figure has now been brought down to about 200.