New pharmaceutical pricing mechanism soon: Health Minister

Wednesday, 12 March 2025 05:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

By Charumini de Silva

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday announced that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is set to implement a new pricing mechanism for pharmaceutical items.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, he stated that the pricing framework will apply to a total of 862 essential medicines.

“The new system will analyse regional pricing trends and determine reasonable profit margins for suppliers to standardise the industry, without allowing monopolies and undue reliance on suppliers,” he explained.

Dr. Jayatissa also said the move aims to enhance accessibility, quality, transparency and fairness for both the public and the companies.

In addition, he noted that out of 2,500 registered medicine suppliers, only 450 remain to be added to the system.

He urged importer and local pharmaceutical manufacturers to register with the NMRA, emphasising that expanding the pricing mechanism to a broader range of medications would benefit the public.

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