CCC concerned over quality of pharma products procured for public healthcare system

• Calls for swift action be taken to ensure and enhance public procurement of medicines in a transparent manner

The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), Sri Lanka’s premier business chamber, yesterday expressed concerns about the recent development in the country’s healthcare sector, particularly regarding the quality of pharmaceutical products procured for the public 
healthcare system. 

The chamber pointed out that while the shortage of essential medicines has stemmed from the economic crisis, it persists due to the lack of a robust and transparent procurement system. “We recommend that swift action be taken to ensure and enhance the public procurement of medicines in a transparent manner, which requires registration with the regulator, following approved and established guidelines,” a Ceylon Chamber statement said.
“The National Medicines Regulatory Authority must play a much stronger, 

transparent and independent role in ensuring that high-quality medicines are procured, including the essential medicines that are procured through an emergency process,” 
it added. Meanwhile, the chamber stressed that the pricing of medicines should adopt a market pricing formula developed by the relevant experts, similar to that adopted for other commodities such as fuel and gas that were previously subject to  price controls. 
It pointed out that a pricing formula would ensure sustainability in the quality of medicines procured. 

“We recognise the recent directive of the president to streamline the procurement system. The Ceylon Chamber along with its affiliated associations and professional bodies such as the Sri Lanka Medical Association stands ready to support the policymakers in improving and uplifting the current state of the healthcare system that will benefit the people of the country,” the  statement concluded.