• Critiques move to bypass regulatory process
• Claims Govt. has not followed up with local industry consultation on the matter
• Argues that the ‘37 medicine shortage’ is an artificially created one

Domestic pharmaceutical industry has called on the Government to reconsider its proposed Government-to-Government (G2G) pharmaceutical import scheme, in a letter addressed to Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa, it is learnt.

It is learnt that the Government is considering G2G purchase agreements with several countries which have large pharmaceutical industries such as India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia and others, as a means to address national medicine shortages which have plagued Sri Lanka over the years.

In a joint letter addressed to the Minister (dated 3 May 2025), the Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI), National Chamber of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Sri Lanka (NCPMSL), and Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA) have voiced strong objections, warning of dire consequences for both public health and the national pharmaceutical sector.

The letter, also copied to top officials including the President and Prime Minister, challenges the rationale behind the move, citing the risk of introducing substandard or counterfeit medicines into the country and warning that the local pharmaceutical industry that built over decades could face collapse. The organisations argue that the reported medicine shortages may be artificially created or exaggerated, potentially due to vested interests within the system. They allege manipulation in procurement processes, deliberate delays in product registrations, and neglect of available stocks from existing local manufacturers and importers. “The decision to bypass established regulatory frameworks in favour of opaque foreign suppliers’ risks dismantling the current system, endangering both patient safety and the survival of local industry,” the letter states.

They further warn that the G2G initiative may violate International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommendations on economic transparency and governance, and opens doors to large-scale corruption by sidelining competitive procurement protocols. The signatories call for the immediate suspension of the proposed G2G import plan, a thorough investigation into the alleged manipulation by officials, fast-tracking of pending medicine registrations, and open dialogue with all stakeholders. They insist that all essential medicines currently being considered for import can be sourced locally or through registered importers via transparent tender procedures. The letter concludes with a firm warning: “The survival of Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical ecosystem is at stake.”

The local pharmaceutical collective urged the Government to; immediately halt the planned G2G mechanism, and has called for an investigation into state officials who the industry claims are responsible for creating and artificial medicine shortage. The group also calls for expedited processing for pending registration for already available medicines, and seeks a new and transparent dialogue between the Government and the domestic pharma industry.

Meanwhile, the Front-Line Socialist Party (FLSP) raised serious concerns over a cabinet proposal that allegedly allows the Sri Lankan government to procure medicines through direct deals, bypassing transparent tender processes.

FLSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda, speaking at a media briefing last week, accused the Government of repeating past corruption by favouring Indian pharmaceutical suppliers, risking the influx of substandard drugs and undermining local production. The party demanded the immediate withdrawal of the proposal and urged ministers to uphold fair procurement standards to safeguard the country’s healthcare system.

Attempts made to contact Health Minister and the Secretary to the ministry were unsuccessful.