'Pharmaceutical Chamber, a key stakeholder in healthcare'
The Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI), which has
the representation of high profile pharmaceutical companies operating in
the country, is a major and inalienable stakeholder in the country's
healthcare sector, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said addressing
the SLCPI Annual General Meeting.
The Annual General Meeting was held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in
Colombo, recently.
Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena accepting the dialysis
machine |
The minister added that the government was committed to extend its
fullest support to the SLCPI in all their endeavours to ensure the
betterment of the healthcare industry.
"When I took over the ministry, there were various allegations with
regard to the purchasing and distribution of drugs. We have, however,
managed to address a sizable proportion of issues over the past three
years. I take this opportunity to thank the SLCPI for the support they
extended to us in addressing such issues," the minister said.
He said plans are afoot to set up a drug manufacturing zone in
Kurunegala to encourage private sector investors involved in the
industry.
"The Pharmaceutical Industry is a flourishing business as access to
drugs is a basic need of every human being. It is an industry that has a
long history and one that will never shrink with the passage of time,"
the minister added.
On the sidelines of the event, the SLCPI handed over a dialysis
machine to the District General Hospital in Polonnaruwa, where a large
number of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease are undergoing
treatment. The Health Minister on behalf of the ministry, accepted the
dialysis machine from the Chamber.
Stuart Chapman, Managing Director of Glaxo SmithKlin took over as
president of the Chamber, succeeding Vish Govindasamy, who was President
from 2011 to 2013.
IMF Representative in Sri Lanka, Koshi Mathai graced the event as the
Guest of Honour while Dr Amal Harsha de Silva, Additional Secretary of
the Health Ministry and several other senior officials also
participated. |