Govt. Gazettes maximum price for Paracetamol amid drug shortage 

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification declaring the maximum retail price (MRP) for Paracetamol.

As per the new gazette, the MRP of a 500 mg Paracetamol is Rs. 2.30. It is also applicable to all the brand names of the generic name of the Paracetamol Tablets/Capsules 500 mg.

The Extraordinary Gazette is in effect from 28 February, whilst legal action can be taken against persons found to be selling Paracetamol at higher prices.

“Any person who contravenes the provisions of these regulations commits an offence and shall be triable under section 131 of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No. 5 of 2015,” it said.

The move comes in just a day after Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) confirmed shortage in essential medicines. 

With up to 85% of pharmaceutical products into Sri Lanka being imported, the current foreign exchange crisis in the country has increased the difficulty of importing essential medicines, and companies unable to pay their dues. As a result, suppliers are no longer interested in supplying to Sri Lanka, the SLCPI stressed.