The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) said the depreciation of the Rupee will necessitate a reconsideration of the maximum prices imposed on certain medicines.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, NMRA Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama explained that although medicines are imported from countries including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and not the Middle East per se, the Rupee’s fall in value will require a price hike for some drugs. "A total of 85 per cent of our medicines are being imported. Among them, there are 60 with maximum prices. We can’t tell which medicines will be subjected to a price hike, but not all medicines either - there will be some sort of a price hike in some medicines,” he said.

When queried about delays in the import license process, widely discussed recently as a cause of supply disruptions, Dr. Wijewickrama said that there is no connection between that process and pricing, and confirmed that those delays are now under control.

He also added that while consumers should expect a hike in drug prices, measures are in place to ensure the continuous availability of all essential medicines without any disruption to the supply.