Sri Lanka to buy medicines directly from suppliers

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Sri Lanka Government has decided to purchase medicines directly from the suppliers.

Secretary of the Health Ministry Janaka Chandragupta said that the necessary purchasing orders are being made, and there is a shortage of 150 types of medicines in the country at present.

He said that based on the purchasing orders, the necessary medicines will reach Sri Lanka in a fortnight.

Over 1,700 medicines including medical equipment were to be imported via the Indian Line of Credit, however, a shortage has arisen due to the delay in delivery.

Meanwhile, an expert committee has been appointed to consider the next steps to be taken regarding the expired Pfizer vaccines.

It is headed by the Director General of Health Services.

The Ministry of Health said that further decisions will be taken based on the recommendations of the relevant committee.