The Sunday Morning has learned that the number of out-of-stock pharmaceuticals in Sri Lanka has dipped below 100 for the first time in several years. Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, the Media Spokesman for the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), confirmed this information, stating that the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) currently lists only 58 out-of-stock medicines, despite ongoing shortages in the pharmaceutical sector. Dr. Wijesinghe clarified that most of these medications are high-end drugs not commonly used, and alternatives are being managed to address the situation, indicating a relatively stable scenario at present.
However, Dr. Wijesinghe also pointed out challenges faced by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), particularly in granting approvals due to staffing and facility shortages. He highlighted unresolved issues related to maintenance agreements for crucial medical technologies like MRI machines. While acknowledging an improvement in the situation, Dr. Wijesinghe noted that it had not yet been entirely resolved.
This progress, albeit with remaining challenges, marks a positive step forward in mitigating pharmaceutical shortages in the country. The significance of this development comes after a period in February when over 150 essential medicines were reported as unavailable at the MSD, impacting hospitals and patient treatment adversely.