New Delhi : Sri Lanka has sought supplies of emergency medicines and life-saving drugs from the Indian Drug Manufacturers Association (IDMA) as the country’s economic crisis has run out of stock in hospitals.
“We have received a communication from Sri Lankan counterparts requesting medical supplies. There are very few companies that do business with Sri Lanka, and only those who have a license can supply ingredients there,” said IDMA secretary general Dara Patel. “They have given us a list of drugs that we circulated. Is. all our members. As and when our members respond to us, we will see how well we can help Sri Lanka. I think some of them will definitely come forward to support Sri Lanka.”
Sri Lanka is seeking emergency aid to secure life-saving drugs amid its worst economic crisis. The island nation, which imports 85% of its pharmaceutical needs, has run out of dollars to pay for imports, putting its health system on the verge of collapse. The Sri Lankan government has also appealed to other countries to donate life saving medicines.
“I would like to inform you that the Government of Sri Lanka, through its diplomatic missions abroad, has circulated an international appeal for donation of emergency and life saving medicines which are not manufactured in Sri Lanka and which are received through credit lines. cannot be done.
“Significant quantities of critical medical supplies such as orthopedic implants, anticancer drugs, reagents and consumables used in the blood,” the island nation’s ministry of production, supply and regulation of pharmaceuticals said in an April 8 communication to its foreign ministry. Bank, HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) Testing, HIV-AIDS Testing Reagent and Laboratory Reagent which are imported from US, Europe and Australia. Due to the current foreign exchange reserves crisis, supply of above mentioned extremely critical medical supplies imported from Europe It has become extremely difficult to sustain the series.”
Giving a list of 273 such items, the ministry said, “We would be very grateful if you can assist the state ministry in coordinating with foreign missions and any other interested donors to maintain medical supplies that are manufactured in Sri Lanka.” are not and cannot be imported using Indian credit lines.”
Sri Lanka is India’s 18th largest partner in pharma trade. India exported pharma goods worth over $274.4 million to Sri Lanka in FY 2011, a 25% increase over the previous year. However, exports fell to $234.56 million the following year.
Earlier, Sri Lanka’s State Pharmaceuticals Corp said it had asked the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India to “sensitize” its members on the need to ensure medical supplies to the beleaguered country. Given the financial crunch, Indian manufacturers are worried about the payment for their exports to Sri Lanka.
In a separate communication on April 11 to donors reviewed by Mint, the state’s ministry of production, supply and regulation of pharmaceuticals said, “The state ministry is utilizing the maximum capacity of local production and to utilize the Indian credit line.” has also started. Maximum impact to buy medical supplies for Sri Lanka.”
The letter, dated April 11, states that donations can be sent in either dollars or goods.