Local pharma production must rise to 80% of requirement

Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical industry should work towards increasing domestic production to cover 80% of the country’s pharmaceutical requirement, said Jayasiri Wickremasinghe, head of a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company.

Speaking at a pharmaceutical industry event held in Colombo recently, he noted that the country’s 23 local pharmaceutical manufacturers currently meet only around 20% of the local requirement, highlighting the significant potential for expanding domestic manufacturing. He added the industry had a long way to go in developing a comprehensive pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem, but stressed that the potential available in the sector was considerable.

The day that all of us in Sri Lanka can say that we manufacture 80% of Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical requirement will be a day that all of us will be proud,” Head of one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturing companies Jayasiri Wickremasinghe said.

He identified the development of the pharmaceutical ecosystem as a key requirement to achieving this objective, noting that the industry needed greater collaboration and continued investment to build its manufacturing capabilities. Wickremasinghe also welcomed the holding of the pharmaceutical exhibition, describing it as an important component of the ecosystem that had previously been lacking.

He expressed confidence that the exhibition would continue to be held annually and contribute to strengthening the industry by bringing together manufacturers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

Sri Lanka is seeking to expand local pharmaceutical manufacturing as part of efforts to strengthen medicine security and reduce dependence on imports.

The svg Government’s National Medicinal Drug Policy 2026–2030 also places emphasis on promoting efficient local production of essential pharmaceutical products while ensuring quality, safety and affordability.

Wickremasinghe further said the industry should therefore look beyond its present level of production and work collectively towards the long-term goal of meeting the majority of the country’s pharmaceutical needs locally. Chirag Solanki of India said that the Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing sector can absorb numerous benefits from the upcoming event of drug-machinery and lab equipment expo and conference.