Sri Lankans have become desperate as a result of medication price increases.

Antibiotics, various pain relievers, and heart medicine are among the items subject to a 40% price increase. Sri Lankans have resorted to taking short courses of medication or seeking supplies from elsewhere. The government claims that it has no choice but to raise the prices of medicinal items. It comes on the heels of steps aimed at slowing the loss of foreign exchange reserves in the midst of a devastating financial crisis.

Import restrictions or prohibitions on some critical products, such as meals and medications, were among the measures. “This is not something that the government is ready to undertake,” said Nalaka Godahewa, Sri Lanka’s minister of mass media, to the BBC. He said that due to the rupee’s depreciation and the fact that the majority of medicine is imported by the private sector, the government had no alternative; otherwise, there would be a severe short

Health professionals are concerned that a lack of medicine is causing consumers to purchase less than the required amount. “The situation is dreadful. Antibiotics are sometimes recommended for five days. My consumers are now requesting that I just take the antibiotics for two or three days. How will it function?” Ruchira Hewawasam, a pharmacist in Colombo, stated.

Some are concerned that even for those willing and able to pay higher fees, some medications will be in limited supply. Velupillai Wigneswaran, who resides in the central Ratnapura area, has spent the last year attempting to get prescription medicines for his sister, who has a significant neurological disease.

“We went to various pharmacies, but the medications were not accessible. Doctors have instructed us not to use any other medication. We’re attempting to obtain the medicines from India through pals “He stated. Mr. Wigneswaran stated that his sister was suffering without the medication and that he was unsure what would happen to her health. Mr. Wigneswaran stated that his sister was suffering without the medication and that he was unsure what would happen to her health.

“The pharmaceutical industry is in the grip of a never-before-seen catastrophe. The rapid increase in drug prices would have an impact “According to Azam Jawad, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry, Antibiotics for children, life-saving antibiotics, and steroids are among the medications that are difficult to get.

This comes against the backdrop of widespread public outrage about growing prices for other necessities such as cooking gas, milk powder, and fuel. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest the deepening scarcity and to demand that the administration resign. As part of a lending scheme, India has volunteered to give medications. However, owing to bureaucratic stumbling blocks, the process has been stalled.

The administration has asked foreign organizations such as the World Bank for assistance in purchasing vital products such as medications. “They’ve already promised us that $600 million would be forthcoming, and when it arrives, we should be able to bring some of these rates down,” Mr. Godahewa added.