The government is making plans to locally manufacture radioactive drugs that are needed in treating cancer patients, the Government Information Department said today quoting State Minister Duminda Dissanayake. A discussion in this regard was held recently between State Minister of Solar Power, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development Duminda Dissanayake and State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Dr. Channa Jayasumana. The drugs are to be developed by the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council and the Atomic Energy Board (AEB) of Sri Lanka which are under the purview of the Solar Power, Wind and Hydro Power Generation Projects Development State Ministry. State Minister Dissanayake said that MoUs are expected to be signed in this regard with the relevant institutions on January 15. He said there was a tendency of manufacturing medicinal drugs locally under the instructions of the President. “Radioactive drugs are imported from India at a cost of Rs. 54,000 per patient and if manufactured locally it will cost only about Rs. 14,000. Therefore, there should be no delay in the development of radioactive drugs and future plans should be made as soon as possible,” he said.