The National Chamber of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Sri Lanka (NCPMSL) has expressed concerns and disappointment regarding several recent developments surrounding the composition and functioning of the Pricing Committee.

In a letter addressed to Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD) Director Dr. Dedunu Dias and dated 6 June, the NCPMSL President Dr. Lohitha Samarawickrema said that it has been reported that an observant representative from a single association had been invited to the Pricing Committee meeting. Adding that such a representative, who is concurrently a manufacturer, would inherently have access to sensitive pricing information of other manufacturer participants including potential competitors or entities with which they are commercially aligned, the letter said that this presents a serious conflict of interest and compromises the principles of confidentiality and fair competition. The NCPMSL recommended that any negotiations, clarifications, or technical discussions with the Pricing Committee be conducted directly with the individual manufacturers concerned, rather than through any industry representative or observer.

In addition, the NCPMSL’s letter said that although two Pricing Committees had been approved previously, these committees had been manipulated during implementation and a single, unified Pricing Committee had been formalised later. The letter added that thus undermines both the initial strategic intent and the operational efficiency of the pricing mechanism, and urged that the two previously approved Pricing Committees be reinstated.

“We respectfully urge that the Committee adopt a more consistent and equitable methodology in its pricing determinations. The use of arbitrary formulas can lead to significant disparities and uncertainty with possible legal consequences,” the letter said, stressing the need for a transparent and fair ‘cost plus’ approach that reasonably reflects manufacturers’ cost structures, while balancing the interests of the Government in ensuring affordability and sustainability.

Moreover, the NCPMSL expressed confidence that with the appropriate police framework and equitable support, Sri Lanka’s local pharmaceutical industry has the capability to ensure self-sufficiency in medicine production.

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact the MSD in this regard were not successful.