Due to the ongoing shortage of pharmaceutical drugs in the country, hospital directors have had to purchase drugs from local pharmacies, where the prices of some medicines are several times higher than their usual rates, the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) claimed.

The country is currently facing a shortage of several types of drugs, and the Ministry of Health has instructed the hospital authorities to purchase drugs which are in short supply from pharmacies.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa claimed that certain drugs were being purchased from local pharmacies at prices that were sometimes over 1,000% higher than the usual cost. 

“Cefuroxime, which normally costs Rs. 57.10, is now being bought at Rs. 575, a 1,000% increase. Ceftazidime, usually priced at Rs. 191, is now costing Rs. 1,512, marking a 791% hike. Another dosage of Cefuroxime, which should cost Rs. 76, is being purchased at Rs. 520, a 681% increase,” he alleged.

He further charged that the ongoing shortage of drugs was being driven by the poor performance of the relevant institutions including the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation. 

“The drug purchasing system collapsed during the previous Government due to various irregularities. However, the current Government has failed to introduce an effective system, even though it has been nearly six months since they came to power,” he said.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on an earlier occasion, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni said that funds had already been provided to hospitals, allowing their directors to directly purchase drugs which were in short supply. However, in some institutions, he said that certain administrative delays had prevented timely purchases.