NMRA to buy drugs only through registered suppliers

Health Ministry has decided to purchase the medicines and accessories required by the health sector only through the registered suppliers of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) from now on.

Health Ministry’s Additional Secretary Dr.Saman Rathnayake said that only registered suppliers of the NMRA have been informed to submit tenders for the supply of drugs and accessories expected to be purchased in the future.

He said that the funds provided by the Treasury for the health sector are not enough and the President has promised to provide an additional Rs.13 billion after a discussion with him in this regard. He emphasized that many problems will be solved with this move.

He said that medicines and devices needed for the dental sector are purchased by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and about 1,700 such drugs and equipment were ordered in 2021. However that there was a request from the suppliers to revise the price with the appreciation of the dollar.

He emphasized that there are a very limited number of suppliers for this sector and, there was a huge price increase for the purchases as per the prices offered by them and all the related orders had to be canceled.

He said that the process of purchasing the related medicines and equipment through Tender will take at least nine months and after a discussion with the relevant suppliers, a list of 270 medicines and equipment needed for emergency treatment was prepared.

He said that these purchases will be made under a procurement process for emergency purchases and the necessary support has been received from the dental suppliers in this regard

Accordingly, he said that the current shortage will be eased within the next four months.