Rs. 1.8 bn from COVID-19 Fund to import essential medicines

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday instructed the relevant officials to release Rs.1.8 billion from the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund to import essential medicines.

These funds were received from donors to control the Coronavirus. By the end of 2021, the fund got around 1.8 billion rupees and only 197.5 million rupees had been spent from it.

234 types of medicines required for hospitals are manufactured locally. Drug prices continue to increase in the world market sharply. In view of this situation, the President pointed out the possibility of rapidly increasing the local pharmaceutical manufacturing and obtaining the necessary raw materials in this regard under the Indian Credit Line.

The President made these remarks at a discussion held at President’s House in Colombo, yesterday (03) regarding matters of urgent concern in the field of health sector.