Govt. to purchase locally produced SLSVP injectables to save US $ 15mn forex outflow

In a bid to save US $ 15 million in forex outflows, the Cabinet nod has been granted for State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) to enter into a purchase agreement with Cologne Life Sciences (Pvt.) Ltd to procure domestically manufactured Sterile Liquid Small Volume Parenterals (SLSVPs) for the public sector.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Monday sought the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to allow SPC to enter into an agreement with Cologne Life Sciences (Pvt.) Ltd to purchase SLSVP Injectables.

Cologne Life Sciences is the only firm equipped with a plant to manufacture SLSVPs in Sri Lanka. The plant located in Pallekele has an annual production capacity of about 50 million of SLSVP Injectables. 

“It is the only company that has an ability to manufacture SLSVPs in Sri Lanka, with the relevant standards and it is ready to supply its products from February 2022,” the Government Information Department noted. 

Currently, the government spends approximately Rs.3 billion (US $ 15 million) annually to purchase SLSVP Injectables.