Media Release
on
Price control of medicinal drugs
03rd March, 2017
Consequent to concerns expressed by Pharmaceutical Companies at the time the Government
enacted regulations to control prices of forty eight (48) medicinal drugs in October 2016, the
Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) continued to consult with members on the progress of
implementation. Representatives of the CCC and of the industry also met regularly with Prof.
Asitha de Silva, Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to discuss
concerns of the private sector Companies.
At the last meeting held with Prof. De Silva on 15 February, 2017, he explained to the CCC and
industry representatives that contrary to perceptions, the policy of regulation of prices of medicinal
drugs was based on an analysis by the NMRA of internationally accepted research contained in
the WHO Guidelines on pharmaceutical pricing policies. The CCC appreciates an approach of
evidence based decision making. It is a principle that the CCC continues to advocate to ensure that
policies that affect people and the nation are ones that produce real benefits to those who are sought
to be served.
Industry partners had also expressed concerns at the outset that innovator/originator brand drug
companies would discontinue to supply drugs subjected to price control, to Sri Lanka. Based on
feedback from industry and as confirmed by Prof. de Silva, the CCC observes that the expected
trend has not been evident. CCC appreciates the role played by some companies that worked with
their foreign principals to ensure continued availability of many brands significantly affected by
the price controls.
While the industry partners as yet entertain concerns on the formula adopted and its suitability to
Sri Lanka which does not have a significant manufacturing base and is reliant on imports, the CCC
accepts that it is now their obligation to conform. It is the position of the CCC that it does not
oppose the introduction of regulations to control prices of medicinal drugs, because it seeks to
ensure the availability and affordability of good quality medicines to the people. It is the view of
the CCC that industry concerns which do not necessarily militate against securing the true benefits
for the people, should also be addressed.
The CCC expressed its appreciation of the many changes that have been introduced at the NMRA
which augurs well for the effective implementation of the regulatory regime and emphasized that
the private sector wishes to continue to engage in a meaningful way with the implementation of
NMRA’s initiatives.
Photo Caption
Discussions between the NMRA and Ceylon Chamber of Commerce officials taking place at the
NMRA.