Govt. to slash prices of 27 medicines soon

• Says Govt. has improved public health and saved money by reducing drug prices since 2016

The Government is considering slashing prices of 27 medicines in the near future, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne confirmed to Parliament yesterday.  

He made these remarks while moving a batch of regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act to enforce price ceilings on medicines and medical devices.

Moving the Motion, the Minister claimed the Government was able to cut down people’s medical expenses by Rs. 4.4 billion and had saved money for the public. 

“The Government has started reducing medicine prices since 2016. As a result of this continuous deduction, the prices of eye lenses were also decreased. These prices fluctuate along with the exchange rates. But still the overall prices of medicines remains low, compared to where it stood during the previous Government. Even though prices are reduced, the quality remains the same,” he said.

According to the Minister, the number of patients who use public hospital services has increased as a result of the lowering of medicine prices, and of providing of free stents for heart operations. 

Regulations under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act received House approval. (AH)