News
Pharma firms call for drug price formula
ECONOMYNEXT –The Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industries (SLCPI) is calling for a price formula with identified components which will be regularly revised in place of the ad hoc price controls now imposed by a regulator, an official said.
The National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Sri Lanka’s medicine regulator, controls over 61 drugs that are imported into the country.
With the recent strengthening of the rupee against the US dollar, prices of the 61 controlled drugs have lowered by 16 percent from this month after negotiations with the industry.
Drug firms have seen costs go up as the rupee fell.
Though import costs have fallen with the central bank strengthening the rupee, drug storage and supply involves multiple costs which have gone up with electricity prices, according to the industry.
“We believe it is crucial to factor in the unique expenses associated with the pharmaceutical sector,” M. Prathaban, the newly elected president of the SLCPI, at its annual general meeting.
“This includes cold chain maintenance, temperature control of warehouses and retail outlets, transportation, as well as heating.”
Prices should be reviewed on a regular basis, he said.
“All these variables should be included, and then we need to arrive at a mechanism,” Prathaban said.
“We can define whether we review it every 3 months or later every 1 month,”
“We are hopeful that within the next 3-4 months, we will be able to develop a fair and workable price mechanism that takes into account these industry-specific expenses.”
Changing management and administration of authorities as well as software problems at the medical regulator had complicated matters.
“Over the past 5 years, there have been frequent changes in the administration of institutions, resulting in a lack of stability,” he said.
“Additionally, there have been issues with the e-platform, which recurred, and a significant backlog in the day-to-day operations.”
“These challenges have left the industry in a state of uncertainty and have required constant engagement to handle even simple matters.
Nevertheless, with the recent appointment of a new CEO, we have seen improvements and consistency of performance, which has led to optimism among suppliers that they can place their confidence in the institution.”
The industry also wants a drug registration fee now defined in US dollar to be redefined in rupees.
“Regulatory fees were increased exorbitantly with the introduction of the NMRA Act in 2016,” he said.
“In addition, the fees were defined in US dollars, making them susceptible to exchange fluctuations.
“You can’t change that on a monthly basis based on dollar fluctuations. I see. So you want to have a rupee-based registration fee for the month.”
The basis for charging the fee should also be revised, he said.
The countrywide dengue outbreak has intensified, with the death toll rising to 50, by July 16, as the number of reported infections surpassed 73,000, according to the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU).
The country has recorded 73,455 dengue cases so far this year, with the case fatality rate standing at 0.07 percent, highlighting the severity of the ongoing outbreak.
The Western Province continues to remain the worst affected region, accounting for more than half of the total cases, with 38,700 infections. The Gampaha District has recorded the highest number of cases in the province with 15,341, followed closely by Colombo with 14,625.
The Southern Province has reported 11,382 cases, while the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces have each recorded more than 6,000 infections.
Dengue cases have shown a sharp increase in recent months, with June recording the highest monthly total of 21,538 cases, while July has already reported 18,076 infections. In comparison, 8,590 cases were reported in May, and 5,651 in April.
Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas as high-risk locations during the 27th epidemiological week. An average of 2,677 new dengue cases are being reported daily, prompting authorities to intensify prevention and mosquito control measures.
The Colombo High Court yesterday (17) resumed hearing the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The proceedings were held before High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, where evidence was recorded from prosecution witnesses, under the direction of Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara.
President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing for Yoshitha Rajapaksa, cross-examined the witnesses during the hearing.
After recording evidence, the court ordered that further examination of evidence be postponed until July 24.
The Attorney General has filed indictments, alleging that Yoshitha Rajapaksa committed an offence, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, by purchasing five plots of land in Dehiwala and Ratmalana, valued at more than Rs. 73 million.
Former IGP Chandana Deepal Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot injury at his residence, in Thalangama, yesterday (17), with police saying preliminary investigations indicate that the incident was a suspected suicide.
Kaduwela Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa, on Friday, ordered the Officer-in-Charge of the Malabe Police Station, Police Inspector Pradeep Ranasinghe, to conduct a formal investigation into the death and submit a report to court on its progress.
The order was issued after the Malabe Police Station presented facts before court regarding the incident.
According to police, the Malabe Police Station received information from the Police Unit of the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, that Wickramaratne, who resided in the Thalahena area, within the Malabe Police division, had died after being admitted to hospital, with gunshot injuries.
Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said Wickramaratne had allegedly used the firearm of his personal security officer and shot himself at his residence.
Police said the shooting had taken place at his residence on Parakum Road, Thalangama, on Thursday morning, before he was due to leave for his regular exercise routine. He was rushed to the Colombo East Base Hospital, in Mulleriyawa, with serious injuries but was pronounced dead upon admission, police said.
The deceased’s remains were placed at the Colombo East Base Hospital, where a post-mortem examination was scheduled to be conducted.
ASP Wootler said three police teams have been appointed to investigate the incident. Further investigations are being conducted by the Crime Division of the Western Province South Range and the Malabe Police Station.
Wickramaratne, 63, served as the 35th Inspector General of Police of Sri Lanka from November 27, 2020, to November 23, 2023.
He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 as a Probationary Assistant Superintendent of Police and later served in several senior positions.
A graduate of the University of Colombo and the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he also served as Acting IGP for more than a year, from April 28, 2019, before being appointed IGP, in November 2020.
He retired from the post of Inspector General of Police, in November 2023.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
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