COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has introduced maximum retail prices (MRP) for 350 essential drugs, including widely used medications for blood pressure, epilepsy, worm treatment, and even certain cancer therapies, in a move officials say is aimed at improving affordability and ensuring proper treatment adherence.
The price controls take effect immediately, NMRA officials announced on Monday (17).
Chairman of NMRA, Dr Ananda Wijewickrema, said high medicine prices have led many patients to underuse or ration their prescribed medications, resulting in poor health outcomes.
“Some patients don’t follow the prescribed dosage because the drugs are expensive. For example, if a medicine is prescribed for a week, some patients take it only for three days,” Wijewickrema told reporters, adding, “Our aim is that by ensuring a fair price, people will take their medicines properly and maintain better health.”
Among the revised prices, Aspirin is now capped at Rs 5.85 per tablet (blister) and Rs 4.50 (bulk); Paclitaxel, a cancer medication, has been reduced from Rs 42,000 per vial to Rs 26,332.29; Nimodipine, used to prevent paralysis following a stroke, now carries an MRP of Rs 4,100, down from Rs 6,348 and Carbamazepine (brand name Tegretol), a long-term anticonvulsant, has been reduced from Rs 58.32 per tablet to Rs 47.46.
Officials said the updated list covers a broad spectrum of essential medicines commonly used in Sri Lanka’s public and private healthcare sectors.
Wijewickrema said all pharmacies are now required to display the updated price list prominently, ensuring transparency for consumers.
The NMRA has also urged the public to report instances where pharmacies or institutions sell medicines above the approved MRP. Complaints can be sent via email to:
complaints@nmra.gov.lk.
-ENCL
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