The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I will answer the written Question submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.

¶ 02 1. Under the Sri Lanka Medical Council, as at 30 June 2025, the number of pharmacists with active registration in Sri Lanka is 6,368.

¶ 03 The number registered as trainee pharmacists under the SLMC as at 30 June 2025 is 57,035.

¶ 04 The current pharmacist cadre vacancies under the line Ministry and Provincial Councils’ hospitals total 191.

¶ 05 2. For 2024/2025, the total number of registered retail pharmacies is 4,803. Ownership types include sole proprietorships, partnerships, and limited companies. A limited company may own one or multiple pharmacies. The district-wise figures for 2024/2025 are as follows (including special outlets): - Colombo 945; Gampaha 228; Kalutara 229; Galle 312; Matara 230; Hambantota 105; Kurunegala 320; Puttalam 163; Ratnapura 181; Kegalle 138; Kandy 227; Matale 46; Anuradhapura 154; Polonnaruwa 132; Badulla 92; Monaragala 51; Nuwara Eliya 53; Ampara 27; Kalmunai 52; Batticaloa 80; Trincomalee 57; Jaffna 91; Mannar 8; Mullaitivu 7; Kilinochchi 4; Vavuniya 14; Cargills outlet pharmacies 297; SPC 60. Total 4,803.

¶ 06 Yesterday’s question sought a breakdown of ownership; I can table that document later if required.

¶ 07 3. Universities in Sri Lanka annually produce around 100-150 pharmacy graduates. From 2019 to 2023, state universities under the University Grants Commission produced 495 pharmacy graduates. In 2023, 137 graduates passed out: Peradeniya 29; Sri Jayewardenepura 31; Jaffna 49; Ruhuna 28. Year-wise totals: 2019 – 70; 2020 – 65; 2021 – 96; 2022 – 127; 2023 – 137.

¶ 08 We do not maintain data on the external pharmacist examinations, which are conducted by the Sri Lanka Medical Schools’ Council. Past summaries indicate 150-200 candidates pass annually, on average.

¶ 09 4. The Sri Lanka Medical Schools’ Council is strengthening trainee pharmacist training under the supervision of qualified pharmacists in the public and private sectors. Training is aligned with global standards to develop community pharmacy services and deliver quality care. The Council has not decided to discontinue the external pharmacist examination. Considering national needs, the Council has decided to hold the exam twice a year henceforth.

¶ 10 Previously, it was held once a year—and in some years, not at all. Now it will be conducted twice a year to address the pharmacist shortage. From the beginning of 2025 to 18 July 2025, the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) received 2,039 pharmacy licence renewal applications and has issued 1,820 renewals—an approval rate of 89.25%.

¶ 11 As at 18 July 2025, licences for 219 pharmacies are temporarily withheld: 137 due to the absence of a full-time pharmacist. Renewals will resume once a responsible, full-time pharmacist is appointed. The remaining 82 are withheld for non-compliance with the Guidelines for Community Pharmacy Practice (15/02/2022), i.e., required standards not met.

¶ 12 Thus, of 2,039 applications, approximately 90% were approved. The issue concerns the remaining 10%, which relates to standards of pharmacies and pharmacists. Time has been given to meet standards or recruit pharmacists; then licences will be issued.

¶ 13 7. Regarding the allegation that many existing licences were rejected due to a shift from past leniency to strict enforcement: a large number were not rejected—about 90% were granted. We are implementing the NMRA Act, No. 5 of 2015, passed by this Parliament, to uphold standards.

¶ 14 8. Yes, we appointed a committee chaired by Prof. Indika Karunathilake, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Colombo. Members included the WHO National Consultant on Pharmaceuticals Ms. Chinthā Abeywardena; Consultant Physician Dr. Suranga Manilgama (National Institute of Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation); Director-General, Medical Supplies Division, Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe; and Board Member, State Pharmaceutical Corporation, Dr. Chandana Athapattu. The committee submitted short-, medium- and long-term recommendations. I will table the report.

¶ 15 Relevant institutions—the Sri Lanka Medical Schools’ Council, SLMC and NMRA—are discussing implementation. There are no barriers to implementation. Key immediate measures include: - Holding the external examination twice a year (June and December). - Modularizing the exam into written, OSPE, and viva components so candidates can carry forward passes. - Allowing those who pass the written exam to commence supervised training under a pharmacist. - Enhancing inter-agency coordination to expedite registration. These steps aim to supply pharmacists to the remaining 6-7% of pharmacies lacking them, consistent with the committee report and the law.