Sri Lanka hopes to produce 85 percent of its total drug requirement by 2020 while six drug manufacturing companies have already commenced operations, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.
According to Dr. Senaratne, Sri Lanka annually spends Rs.45 billion to import drugs from foreign countries.
“The State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) has already signed agreements with 46 investors to produce drugs in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Cosmetic devices and drugs manufacturing companies are already in operation in Kandy, Horana, Ratmalana, Kalutara and Bellepitiya, Horana. Minister Senaratne pointed out that the total investment of the project is Rs.2.5 billion with around 450 youths provided employment in this factory.
The factories follow European Union production standards. Three more companies producing various skin creams, drugs etc will commence operations by year’s end.
“Around 80 percent of hospital deaths in Sri Lanka are due to Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Sri Lanka needs to control HIV and dengue.
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