Govt encouraging local production of medicines - minister

Chaminda PERERA

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that the government is encouraging local and foreign producers to manufacture medicines needed for government and private hospitals locally.

Minister Sirisena

He said that the government is ready to provide assistance including tax concessions to investors who are ready to produce Western medicine locally.

The minister added that the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is providing a stimulus to the public and private sector to boost growth.

Minister Sirisena was speaking at the opening of new pharmaceutical tablet manufacturing facility of the GlaxoSmithKline company at Ratmalana yesterday. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa was also present.

The Health Minister added that government hospitals require more than 50 million paracetamol tablets a months though the country has a population of 20 million. "The government spends more than Rs. 20 billion for the purchase of Western medicine for government hospitals annually and the private sector also spendS Rs. 4 - 5 billion for the import of Western drugs and medicine a year" , he said. Minister Sirisena said that the ministry recently issued a circular ensuring proper management of paracetamol tablets during the storage and issuance process.

Minister Sirisena said the Cabinet Sub Committee on purchase of drugs for government hospitals has given approval for the purchase of drugs and medicine required to government hospitals from local manufactures without calling tenders.

He said that the ministry will enter into agreement with a particular manufacturer for the purchase of necessary medicine for government hospitals for a specific period.

The minister said that the government will start purchasing gloves from local manufactures and the ministry expects to sign two year agreements with the prospective manufactures. Postal Services Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga and British High Commissioner John Rankin were also present at the inauguration of factory.