The number of out-of-stock pharmaceuticals in Sri Lanka has dropped below 100 for the first time in years, The Sunday Morning learns.

Upon inquiry, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe told The Sunday Morning that despite pharmaceutical shortages persisting, the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) currently listed only 58 out-of-stock medicines.

Dr. Wijesinghe elaborated that the majority of these pharmaceuticals were high-end medications not in common use. Despite this, he assured that this was being managed with alternatives, indicating that the situation was relatively stable at present.

Furthermore, he highlighted challenges faced by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) in granting the necessary approvals due to staffing and facility shortages. 

He also pointed out unresolved issues concerning maintenance agreements for medical technologies such as MRI machines.

Dr. Wijesinghe noted that while the situation was improving, it had not been entirely resolved. 

Nevertheless, he emphasised that such progress marked a positive development in addressing pharmaceutical shortages in the country.

In February, over 150 essential medicines were unavailable at the MSD, resulting in an adverse impact on hospitals and the treatment of patients.