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

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I will conclude the debate briefly.

¶ 02 First, I thank all Members from both government and opposition who supported approving these regulations to provide medicines to the public at fair prices.

¶ 03 As I said at the outset, this was a long process. Previous Ministers could not create a conducive environment to issue Gazettes to reduce prices. Some tried—drafted formulas and gazettes—but groups opposing price reductions, along with their political and media arms, blocked implementation. We were able to issue the Gazette and bring it to Parliament. With MRP and MCP defined, at registration and re-registration, we can now register those who offer fair prices.

¶ 04 Members also raised district-level issues—justifiably so. We are working to recruit staff, supply medicines and provide equipment. However, a single Member repeatedly echoed in Parliament the same arguments that companies used in court to block the Gazette. I suggest he learn from seasoned Members of his own group.

¶ 05 When issuing the Gazette, we consulted parties as required by the NMRA Act. They may disagree, but we informed and consulted.

¶ 06 It is also said companies will leave Sri Lanka if prices are reduced. The same was said in 2015 when Hon. Rajitha Senaratne brought the law; companies did not leave—only a single manufacturer of one item exited.

¶ 07 Another claim is that price control brings substandard drugs. In Prof. Senaka Bibile’s time in the early 1970s, similar claims were made when creating a national drug policy and the SPC. Decades later, despite technological advances and global evidence, some still repeat the same refrain. Let me state clearly: as long as we are here, we will not allow substandard drugs to enter this country. The NMRA’s foremost duty is to ensure quality.

¶ 08 Medicines are not items you can order today and get by ship tomorrow; about 85 percent of drugs and a similar share of devices are manufactured after orders are placed; delivery takes time. Our standard procurement processes sometimes themselves cause delays. We all agree some reforms are needed in national procurement to ensure timely supply. We have proposed such reforms, and together they will help guarantee continuous access to quality medicines.

¶ 09 Our top priority is uninterrupted quality supply. Second is preventing fraud and corruption—without obstructing supply. With thanks again to all Members who supported and contributed constructively, I request approval of these regulations and support for our next steps in the interest of our people’s health.

¶ 10 Question put, and agreed to.