Japan to help SPC boost local pharmaceutical production

Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena said that the process of manufacturing drugs locally will be launched this week.

He said that the Ministry entered into an agreement Japan International Corporation Agency last week in this regard.

According to the agreement the Japanese Agency has come forward to provide all assistance for the State Pharmaceutical Corporation to produce the drugs required by the country locally.   

At present the State Pharmaceutical Corporation produces 50 varieties of drugs required and several private firms are producing 40 varieties.  

Due to the insufficiency of the local production to meet the requirements, Sri Lanka imports 80% of the drugs from India and the balance 20% from several other countries.  

The Minister said that the Government spends Rs. 2,100 million annually for import of drugs and it is a very large expenditure being incurred by the health sector.