29% price increase for medicinal drugs

The Price Control Committee had approved a 29 percent increase in drug prices, said State Minister of Pharmaceuticals Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana.
 

Addressing parliament today, he said that the Finance Ministry had provided the necessary arrangements to open Letters of Credit for the import of certain drugs.

 

He also said that the shortage of drugs in the country was artificially created due to the retention of drugs by some vendors who anticipated a hike in drug prices.

The Minister of State said this during the adjournment debate on the Private Member's Motion moved by Member of Parliament Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Channa Jayasumana said that no one could control the price of drugs arbitrarily and that the importers had enough drugs for four months.

 

He said there was enough medicine in government warehouses for six months, adding that there was no room for a shortage of drugs in the country.