Morison begins local production of three high-in-demand medicines

Marking milestone in the local pharmaceutical industry, Hemas Group subsidiary Morison Ltd recently commenced manufacturing of Bisoprolol tablets B.P. 5mg 250s, Ros-10 (Rosuvastatin tablets I.P. 10mg 30s blister),and ChlorMor (Chlorphenamine tablets B.P. 4mg 100s blister).

These high-in-demand medicines are now more affordable and accessible to Sri Lankans, the supply of which does not have to depend on imports.  

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Bisoprolol 5 mg tablets are now being manufactured locally by Morison and supplied to the Medical Supplies Division for the use in government hospitals. Used as a treatment for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions, the annual requirement of Bisoprolol in the government sector is around 40 million tablets, which was being imported to-date.

By producing the same locally, Morison is able to make a significant forex saving for the national economy during these unprecedented times. Plans are underway to make Bisoprolol B.P. 2.5mg and 5 mg available in all leading pharmacies as a branded medication in due course, to enable purchasing through a valid prescription.

The second new product launched, Ros-10 (Rosuvastatin tablets I.P. 10mg 30s blister) is used to treat high blood cholesterol, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Morison launched Ros-10at approximately half of the current weighted average market price, offering significant savings to Sri Lankans. 

The third latest addition to the Morison portfolio, ChlorMor (Chlorphenamine tablets B.P. 4mg 100s blister) is an oral antihistamine that helps to relieve symptoms of allergies. This too was launched at a price less than the prevailing similar products in the market.

“This indeed is a key milestone for Morison as well as the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in the country. We commenced operations of our latest state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facility in Homagama in May this year, which is the largest investment to-date in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in Sri Lanka. This will be a great boost for the pharmaceutical supply of the country during this crucial hour,” Morison Limited Managing Director Dinesh Athapaththu said.

Being the first and largest general oral solid dosage (OSD) and oral liquid dosage (OLD) manufacturing facility in compliance with WHO GMP and EU GMP infrastructure and quality management systems in Sri Lanka, the Morison’s second manufacturing facility in Homagama, has the inbuilt capacity to produce 5 billion tablets and 2 million litres of liquids per annum, which is equivalent to 40 percent of the national annual general OSD demand in Sri Lanka. 

Prior to introducing Ros-10, Bisoprolol and ChlorMor, Morison launched the first ever locally manufactured SGLT2 molecule (Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2), Empagliflozin tablets 10mg and 25mg in 2021. An oral medication to treat Type 2 diabetes, this was launched at approximately 50 percent price advantage from the market.