The Hon. (Prof.) Chrishantha Abeysena - Minister of Science and Technology

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, first, thank you for this opportunity.

¶ 02 Today is a special day for the health sector. Many of our people suffer because medicine prices are high. About 50 percent of medicines are purchased from the private sector because some drugs are unavailable at state hospitals and clinics. Nevertheless, today is significant.

¶ 03 A common claim about high-priced medicines is that higher price means higher quality. That is not true. The pharmaceutical business is a massive global profit-making enterprise—often a racket. Today a drug that should cost Rs. 50 is sold for Rs. 15,000. The regulations the Ministry of Health brings today are to confront this racket.

¶ 04 We also know there are corrupt politicians who pose as anti-corruption crusaders. Some who claimed to oppose narcotics and underworld activities were in fact linked to them. Consider Prof. Senaka Bibile’s medicines policy: the extreme capitalist enterprises tied to the open economy opposed it while cynically invoking his name.

¶ 05 We know about former Health Ministers, including Keheliya Rambukwella, and the extent of corruption tied to medicines. They came from various parties—SLFP, SLPP, SJB, UNP. They had no consistent party policy, but they had a single medicines policy: push prices up—the highest were in 2022—driving the health sector into decline.

¶ 06 However, under the NMRA Act, No. 5 of 2015, some relief came. Later, attempts were made to control prices of 48 medicines, then around 60—limited steps. Today, maximum price ceilings are being set by drug category based on generic names; prices cannot exceed those ceilings.

¶ 07 In developed countries there are only a few trade names per drug; in Sri Lanka, there are many. Some even campaign in front of hospitals pushing a particular brand; some in our system fall prey to that. While we speak of evidence-based management, some act as per traders’ influence. We saw cases of a Rs. 300 drug sold at Rs. 76,000. With these regulations under the NMRA Act, such situations will not recur, as we set a maximum price considering CIF value and other costs.

¶ 08 Regarding the NMRA itself: it is not perfect. Reducing prices is not enough; we must also ensure quality. We need good laboratories to determine medicine standards—this would also support domestic production. Our Ministry has good labs and institutions; we hope to work with the NMRA on drug quality. Yet some in the NMRA resist; while many officers are honest, some are linked to racketeers, play internal games, and even pressure us. A former Chief Executive Officer left because he could not function. We have cleaned up politicians; now we must clean up officials. Those who delay registrations or manipulate shortages must be dealt with.

¶ 09 Some claim domestic production will suffer. No—we have a separate framework and will support local manufacturers. We must also review distribution of health staff, including pharmacists.

¶ 10 The Opposition talks about private medical colleges. Over 2,000 doctors pass out annually; they require supervised internship under specialists, but capacity is limited. If numbers rise, how will we provide internships? Internships must be for those entering through state medical faculties; there is no other solution.

¶ 11 While many doctors are attracted to the health sector, can we hire all and pay salaries within our fiscal limits? Our policy statement targets 1 doctor per 10,000 population, but the number of doctors is increasing, and more private colleges create social issues and disrupt families. We cannot allow such decisions.

¶ 12 We have about 1 doctor per 800 people; some figures state about 1 per 1,000 today. We cannot reach UK/US levels given our economy. To improve health, we must strengthen medicines, ensure adequate nurses, pharmacists and allied cadres—in balance—to ensure affordable, good health services for the people.

¶ 13 Thank you, Hon. Presiding Member.