News
Drugs-price slash with immediate effect
View(s):The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of 48 essential drugs, in respect of all their branded and generic versions, will come into immediate effect and there will be no postponement of the implementation date, Health Ministry Secretary Anura Jayawickrema said.
The gazette notification was issued on Friday and no manufacturer, importer, trader or pharmacist would be allowed to sell medicines of the 48 named drug-formulations above the MRP stipulated in the notification.
Mr. Jayawickrema said that since the gazette was issued, several drug companies had contacted the ministry seeking a delay in the implementation date but their requests were rejected.
Under the regulations, it is obligatory on the part of every manufacturer, trader, importer and pharmacist to display at every retail outlet the MRP on these drugs.
The MRP will be valid for two years from October 21 unless earlier revised. The fixed prices will apply to commonly used medicines such a paracetamol, aspirin and thyroxine.
The implementation of the regulations will be the responsibility of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Health and the Consumer Affairs Authority.
Those violating the regulations will be penalised under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act.
The price-slashed medicines include those used in the treatment of major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, ischaemic heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and bronchial asthma; many widely-used antibiotics; and others used for gastrointestinal ailments, hormone disorders and common psychiatric problems.