A special discussion was held under the patronage of the Health Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, focusing on expanding and strengthening the process of maintaining drug quality standards. According to the Health Ministry, the discussion primarily centred on conducting drug quality testing activities in a more systematic and organised manner as part of efforts to enhance overall drug quality assurance.

Attention was also drawn to maintaining effective coordination among institutions involved in laboratory-based drug quality testing, increasing the volume of testing activities, and addressing issues that require monitoring by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) with regard to drug quality testing reports.

During the meeting, Dr. Jayatissa has pointed out that certain limitations have been identified in carrying out drug quality testing solely through the NMRA’s quality testing laboratory, emphasising the need to expand these activities into a more formal and comprehensive programme in the future. He further stated that as this process may not be implemented in the near future, the possibility of conducting such testing through other Government institutions should be explored. He also said that priority should be given to problematic drugs under this programme in order to avoid disruptions to the drug supply process.