SLPMA welcomes new state ministry for pharma manufacturing

The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA) yesterday welcomed the newly-elected government’s decision to create a new state ministry for pharmaceutical manufacturing as a crucial positive step towards the strengthening of the local pharmaceuticals industry. 

The association iterated the importance of its contribution to the nation as local manufacturers, ensuring the availability of essential pharmaceuticals and expressed its confidence in the government’s vision for the nation.

“The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ Association warmly welcomes the new government headed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. We look forward to working with Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana, as we work towards a robust local pharmaceuticals industry,” SLPMA President Sanjaya Jayaratne, who is Chairman of Navesta Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd, said in a statement. 

The members of the SLPMA have actively reinvested over Rs.15 billion over the past five years on capacity building and market expansion, setting up new plants and upgrading current facilities to enhance the manufacture of a wider range of medicines and infrastructure for the Sri Lankan market and for export. 

Currently holding 15 percent of the local pharmaceuticals market, the SLPMA aims to help the country by increasing the production of world-class pharmaceuticals locally to provide quality cost-effective medicines to all Sri Lankans. 

The establishment of the first privately-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in the year 1956 marked the beginning of the SLPMA. In the six decades since, its membership has grown to 15 entities, including multinational pharmaceutical companies, established local conglomerates, innovative new ventures and State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC).