There is a shortage of essential drugs and within the next two to three weeks about 25% of the drugs required for the country will be in short supply, said the President of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Industries Forum, Sanjeewa Wijesekera.
Mr. Wijesekera said that there is a shortage of medicines in the country which are essential for many diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.
He also said that some drug suppliers have stopped importing drugs due to the shortage of dollars and due to non-opening of letters of credit by banks.
The President of the Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association said that there is a shortage of about 60 types of drugs required for the country but the authorities are not interested in it.
He said that about $ 25 million a month is required to import drugs to Sri Lanka and requested the authorities to take necessary steps in order to provide medine with a continuous supply.
