Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Cabinet has approved the purchase of over 300 locally manufactured medicines and medical supplies for a period of one year.
He further said that the Ministry of Health has identified four categories of suppliers as the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC), joint venture partners with SPMC, holders of buy-back agreements with the Ministry and local manufacturers who have not entered into other agreements.
The proposal to award these procurements has been approved by the Minister of Health and Mass Media as per the recommendations of the Standing Procurement Committee appointed by the Cabinet.
The procurement for the supply of 42 types of medicines has been approved to the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation at a cost of Rs. 5,398.83 million.
The procurement for the supply of 131 types of medicines to local manufacturers who have signed joint agreements with the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation has been approved at a cost of Rs. 16,611.42 million.
The procurement for the supply of 36 types of medicines to local manufacturers who have signed purchase agreements with the Ministry of Health and Mass Media has been approved at a cost of Rs. 9,022.10 million.
130 types of medicines have been approved at a cost of Rs. 13,374.65 million for 24 newly selected local manufacturers.