National drug policy won’t affect neutraceuticals and vitamins: SLCNTA President

Tuesday, 10 February 2015 01:15 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The President of the Sri Lanka Cosmetics and Neutraceuticals Traders Association (SLCNTA), Ahamed Rheyas stated that the national drug policy has no effect on neutraceuticals, vitamins and OTC medicine. Rheyas stated that the national drug policy is mainly to control the prices of life

saving and essential drugs and to stop the brand monopoly by drug companies. “Neutraceuticals are given only on the request of patients and those who can afford to buy neutraceuticals and vitamins. We pay taxes adding up to 92% in all. This is also big revenue to the Government. More than 20,000 people are employed in this field directly and many others indirectly,” he said.